Dermot Weld

It is very clear how important the Melbourne Cup is within Australia. Observers at Tattersalls last week were left in no doubt of that. A large proportion of the most expensive lots were bought to head Down Under, with the Melbourne Cup repeatedly mentioned as the ultimate target. It is now, though, a major race both within Australasia and internationally, its global appeal having increased dramatically 30 years ago in the 3 minutes 23.43 seconds which it took Vintage Crop (Ire) to take the prize on the first Tuesday in...

Moyglare Stud's homebred Elizabeth Jane (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}--Sapphire {Ire}, by Medicean {GB}) sported her owner's second silks for Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden and made a mockery of 16-1 odds with a power-packed display, collecting a 'TDN Rising Star' badge, in the one mile distaffers' test. The March-foaled chestnut was off the tempo in rear for the most part and inched forward rounding the home turn. Nudged along at the top of the straight, she made relentess headway to gain an edge passing the furlong marker and scooted...

Becoming the 10th TDN Rising Star for Siyouni (Fr), who carried that mantle himself, The Aga Khan's Azada (Ire) conquered Leopardstown's deep surface to make the ideal start to her career in the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden on Saturday. Out of Azmiyna (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose son The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) carried all before him in Australia, the 4-1 shot raced with two behind early after a tardy break from her wide draw. Cajoled forward by Leigh Roche from three out, the Dermot Weld-trained...

There were few surprise outcomes on Leopardstown's Irish Champions card on Saturday, merely simple rubber-stamping of the positions of the season's category leaders. Step forward The Aga Khan's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. heroine Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}--Tarana {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) in the G1 Coolmore America "Justify" Matron S., which has a history of upsets but which this time kept to script. If Dermot Weld, who had earlier opted to withdraw Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), had concerns about the winner's readiness beforehand one look...

by Emma Berry & Heather Anderson    A field of eight make up Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks, and a strong Irish contingent faces just one English challenger, Juddmonte's Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). Aidan O'Brien runs four fillies, including the favourite, Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The Aga Khan homebred Azazat (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is another who is taking her chance in this 1 1/2-mile Classic at the Curragh, and will attempt to become the third winner for her owner/breeder after Ebadiyla (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) in 1997 and Shawanda (Ire) (Sinndar...

Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) has returned home to Gilltown Stud for a well-deserved break after her Royal Ascot heroics and, according to Pat Downes, the triple Group 1 winner could kick-start her autumn campaign in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.  Downes, the Aga Khan's manager of the Irish studs, has said that the most impressive aspect of Tahiyra's G1 Coronation S. success was the fact that Dermot Weld's charge was able to win despite the race not being run to suit. Downes said, "We were...

Coming through in a highly tactical renewal of the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot on Friday, The Aga Khan's TDN Rising Star Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}--Tarana {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) showed her class to widen her portfolio which already included an Irish 1000 Guineas and Moyglare Stud S. Sent off the 8-13 favourite to bridge a 45-year gap for Dermot Weld in this prestige event, the half-sister to Rosewell House's recent superstar Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) was instantly faced with adversity and a conundrum for Chris Hayes as she...

The rematch between Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) is on at Royal Ascot after Dermot Weld described the latter to have come out of her Irish 1,000 Guineas romp in splendid order.  Mawj had just a half a length to spare from Tahiyra in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and, after Tahiyra made little fuss in the Godolphin filly's absence at the Curragh, a mouthwatering rematch between the Classic winners could take place in the G1 Coronation S. at the royal meeting.  Speaking at...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's insights features the debut of Knight to King, the 11th foal out of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime. 15.37 Gowran Park, Mdn, €12,500, 3yo/up, 9f 100yT KNIGHT TO KING (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) is the 11th foal out of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo...

The Irish National Stud has confirmed the passing of 2010 Ascot Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage (GB) (Giant's Causeway--Dahlia's Krissy, by Kris S). He was 19. INS CEO Cathal Beale said, "Coming on the back of the recent loss of Kicking King, it is a sad day to report the passing of Rite Of Passage. He was a lovely, gentle horse who lived out his days receiving the greatest of care from all the team here. He will be deeply missed by all of us." Trained by Dermot Weld...

Making amends for a narrow eclipse at Newmarket, The Aga Khan's Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) returned to re-establish her dominance at The Curragh on Sunday, providing Dermot Weld with a sixth G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and completing a weekend Classic double for her sire in the process. So impressive when taking the G1 Moyglare S. here in September, the TDN Rising Star was quicker away here than in the 1000 Guineas and able to draft in behind Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) and that runner's stablemate and pacemaker Dower...

Group 1 winner Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) has exited her strong second-place effort in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas in good order, according to trainer Dermot Weld. His Highness The Aga Khan's homebred pushed Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) all the way to the line in a fierce stretch duel at Newmarket, only to lose out by a half-length. Plans for last year's G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine are fluid at the moment, but the May 28 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas is under consideration. "She's come out of her...