By Tom Frary
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 House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Delivered by Chris Hayes to tackle Meditate approaching the furlong pole, the 2-5 favourite asserted to confirm the Moyglare form by 1 1/2 lengths, with Jim Bolger's 150-1 shot Comhra (Ire) (Vocalised) a strong-closing head away in third.
Weld said, “She was in a pocket, but when you have a very good horse they have the pace to get out of that pocket. I was always comfortable.
“The plan was to hold on to her and ride her for speed. My only concern was whether she would let herself down on the quick ground. They have done a good job here.
“We'll see how she comes out of this race and obviously we will think about the Coronation S.”
The Aga Khan's daughter, Princess Zara, was in attendance to witness Tahiyra secure a commanding success. Her brown and green silks were also carried by the fourth, Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal), who supplied Weld with a one-four in the race.
Princess Zara said, “She was very brave and she kept at it and won beautifully. Looking at what she did today, and Paddington yesterday, I think we have a good set of Guineas there. To have a homebred like this is lovely to see.”
Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud, echoed the sentiments of Princess Zara and lauded the Haras de Bonneval-based Siyouni.
He said, “These are the kind of results that a stallion needs to achieve to be put in the elite bracket worldwide. They are two very big wins for the horse this weekend and he's just a very good stallion, we knew that already, but they have to keep on producing these big results to maintain their elite bracket status. Thankfully, this has been a great weekend for Siyouni.”
⭐️ Tahiyra is a Classic winner! She lands the @tatts_ireland 1000 Guineas for Dermot Weld & @chrishayes24 with a dominant performance @curraghrace @AgaKhanStuds
🏇 Four runs
🥇 Three wins
🏆 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas
🏆 G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes
🥈 G1 English 1000 Guineas pic.twitter.com/8I9JRZMHig— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 28, 2023
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
