Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
1m Good (Good to Firm in places)
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along under 2f out and 2nd 1f out, ridden and headway to lead over 100 yards out, kept on well
mid-division, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final 150 yards to go 2nd closing stages
3 1¼
7 9-9 106 p
led, 3 lengths clear halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out and headed over 100 yards out, no extra
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, 3rd and ridden 1f out, 4th and kept on one pace final 100 yards
rear of mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along entering straight and no impression under 2f out, 6th and ridden 1f out, kept on well inside final 150 yards
towards rear, pushed along and some headway under 2f out, 5th and ridden 1f out, no extra inside final 150 yards
always towards rear, pushed along early straight, soon ridden and 7th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, never a factor
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along and no impression entering straight, ridden and dropped towards rear 1f out, no extra
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €73.26 (7, 8) |
| Tricast | €461.04 (7, 8, 1) |
| Win | €11.00 (7) |
| Place | €2.00 (7), €1.80 (8), €2.00 (1) |
| Exacta | €46.90 (7, 8) |
| Trifecta | €143.70 (7, 8, 1) |
This Group 3 was well-run, seven-furlong specialist Audience setting the pace, but even so it was hard for hold-up horses to get involved, the winner well-positioned tracking the front two throughout and hitting the front in the final furlong.
ISAAC NEWTON has been a little inconsistent this season, but trips around a mile on decent ground suit well, and he returned to the level of his Navan win in June (strong form) to score here. He travelled well and will likely return to the track for the Boomerang Stakes next month at the Irish Champions Festival.
NEEDLE MATCH was having his first run since the 2000 Guineas and shaped well, lacking the sharpness of the winner before keeping on well late. This was just his fourth start, and he was weak in the betting, so improvement can be expected and he can get closer to the winner if returning for the Boomerang.
AUDIENCE has found consistency in his last three starts and ran another good race, overdoing it a little in front. A return to seven furlongs should suit him better.
SPARAN NUA was a surprise entry for this race having had her last run in the Irish Oaks and found the trip too sharp. Having tracked the strong gallop, she was outpaced in the straight and just kept on steadily thereafter. She can do better over a more suitable trip.
COWARDOFTHECOUNTY has run to a good level throughout 2026 without suggesting a Group win is imminent. He was further back than ideal having dwelt at the stalls.
CHICAGO CRITIC has a good record here and travelled well in rear but found himself too far back to make an impact.
TOKENOMICS was slowly away and never got involved.
AL HAARITH has a mark of 106, but it overrates him.
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 6 | Johan | 4 | 8 | 9 9 | - | 015-013 | 284 days | J Channon | Ronan Whelan | 12/ 1 | 1:39.67 |
| 2024 | Good | 8 | Mutasarref | 3 | 6 | 9 12 | - | 81-3113 | 18 days | G M Lyons (70 miles) | Colin Keane | 12/ 1 | 1:40.48 |
| 2023 | Good | 8 | Lord Massusus | 9 | 3 | 9 3 | - | 13-1147 | 21 days | J G Murphy (119 miles) | Gary Carroll | 11/ 2 | 1:40.61 |
| 2022 | Good | 7 | Boundless Ocean | 1 | 3 | 9 5 | - | 103261 | 28 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 11/ 8 | 1:42.14 |
| 2021 | Good - Yielding | 8 | Create Belief | 9 | 3 | 8 13 | - | 3-1011 | 55 days | J P Murtagh (38 miles) | S B Kelly | 5/ 6 | 1:43.92 |
| 2020 | Good | 7 | Royal Dornoch | 1 | 3 | 9 2 | - | 7151-07 | 54 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Seamie Heffernan | 12/ 1 | 1:41.86 |
| 2019 | Good | 7 | Madhmoon | 4 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 11-2424 | 47 days | K Prendergast (38 miles) | Chris Hayes | 4/ 7 | 1:42.01 |
| 2018 | Good | 8 | Pincheck | 9 | 4 | 9 7 | - | 14-4522 | 5 days | Mrs J Harrington (38 miles) | Colm O'Donoghue | 10/ 1 | 1:41.36 |
| 2017 | Good | 9 | Alexios Komnenos | 2 | 3 | 9 1 | - | 12-3 | 47 days | J A Stack (119 miles) | Chris Hayes | 6/ 1 | 1:43.98 |
| 2016 | Good to Firm | 8 | Tribal Beat | 8 | 3 | 9 2 | - | 47212 | 292 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 9/ 1 | 1:41.90 |
| 2015 | Good to Firm | 5 | Cougar Mountain | 2 | 4 | 9 9 | - | 0-40345 | 15 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | EVENS | 1:41.87 |
| 2014 | Soft | 9 | Custom Cut | 2 | 5 | 9 9 | - | 228311 | 18 days | D O'Meara | Daniel Tudhope | 10/ 3 | 1:43.10 |
| 2013 | Good | 7 | Gordon Lord Byron | 2 | 5 | 9 9 | - | 173423 | 11 days | T Hogan (119 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 4/ 9 | 1:38.74 |
| 2012 | Good to Soft | 8 | Duntle | 8 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 6-141 | 57 days | D Wachman (119 miles) | Wayne Lordan | 5/ 2 | 1:46.26 |
| 2011 | Good | 6 | Future Generation | 5 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 1-15102 | 26 days | G M Lyons (70 miles) | K Latham | 3/ 1 | 1:39.91 |
| 2010 | Good to Firm | 5 | Beethoven | 4 | 3 | 9 7 | - | 4616-64 | 15 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 2/ 1 | 1:39.52 |
| 2009 | Good | 6 | Profound Beauty | 3 | 5 | 9 9 | - | 1135-11 | 28 days | D K Weld (38 miles) | P J Smullen | 6/ 4 | 2:30.48 |
| 2008 | Soft | 9 | Mores Wells | 2 | 4 | 9 10 | - | 136-342 | 50 days | K Prendergast (38 miles) | Declan McDonogh | 5/ 1 | 2:40.24 |
| 2007 | Soft | 7 | Mores Wells | 2 | 3 | 9 0 | - | 2-11457 | 19 days | K Prendergast (38 miles) | Declan McDonogh | 5/ 2 | 2:36.58 |
| 2006 | Good to Soft | 5 | Kastoria | 1 | 5 | 9 9 | - | 122-141 | 50 days | J M Oxx (38 miles) | Mick Kinane | 4/ 5 | 2:33.16 |
