Labhair Gaeilge liomsa ar an @gaelgoer aip (If you’re into running, you can find me on Strava at strava.app.link/m55ij1oCsRb)
Joined November 2021
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13 Nov 2025
Here's something I wrote on who's more important: the sire or the dam?
medium.com/@bealanchapaill/s…
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For those who think the Derby is no longer fit for purpose as a "stallion-making race"....
How many Derby winners between 1979 and 2000 would you say were good sires?
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Also, for those who think that the 2,000 Guineas has not had its fallow periods either in terms of producing sires....
How many 2,000 Guineas winners between 1971 and 2008 would you say were good sires?
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Jun 13
A few things on this…
AOB has won the Derby with colts who became Coolmore flat stallions but also those who ended/will end up covering jumps mares
Other trainers & owners have won the Derby with future NH sires but when they win, there’s the variety angle
Jun 13
⭕️ THE BIG READ ⭕️
🗣️ "The Derby is now under threat"
Lee Mottershead finds training legend John Gosden with plenty to say on the eve of Royal Ascot 👀
Read with Racing Post 👇
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Jun 13
Gosden said the way the Derby is now run has hurt the race i.e. it’s too strongly-run these days
Yes, Aidan has had colts win strongly-run Derbys but he’s also had colts win tactically-run Derbys (Auguste Rodin in 2023)
Not sure this argument holds up in reality
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Jun 13
Ultimately, the Derby would benefit from greater competition
But this must come about through understanding the importance of precocity even for Derby winners rather than trying to interfere with the timeless nature of the Classics
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Jun 11
This could be the best PoW since Manduro beat Dylan Thomas
Jun 11
What a clash this could be! 🍿
Confirmed for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes:
Almaqam
Dancing Gemini
Daryz
Devil’s Advocate
Mississippi River
Ombudsman
Kalpana
Minnie Hauk
See The Fire
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Jun 10
RIP The Lion In Winter
Only have to go back to the much hyped 2024 Acomb with him in 1st and Ruling Court back in 3rd
And now both are unfortunately no longer with us
Jun 10
'It’s a pity he never really got to fulfil that early potential' - The Lion In Winter sustains fatal injury on gallops
racingpost.com/news/ireland/…
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Jun 10
Rumours of the Derby’s demise were greatly exaggerated
Most winners of even the best stallion-making races will not be good sires!
"He became the sixth Derby winner this century to sire a Derby winner of his own – that’s twice as many, in a shorter period, than in the last thirty years of the twentieth century"
John Ingles on the improved record of Derby winners at stud this century:
sportinglife.com/racing/news…
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Two consecutive Derby winners both sired by Derby winners
When it comes to G1s being “stallion-making races”, most winners of even the best races will not be good stallions, people have to remember that
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People wonder why Aidan keeps on training Derby winners
Other trainers tend not to race their middle-distance types that often at 2 but Aidan ran Christmas Day (Camelot x STS) four times at 2, even won a 1m1f G3
If you want to win the Derby, it helps to have experience at 2
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