Tahiyra atones for Newmarket let-down with victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas

Tahiyra exorcised memories of a painful defeat in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas to hand trainer Dermot Weld a second straight victory in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday.

Owned by the Aga Khan, the 2-5 favourite quickened smartly to beat Mediate by a length-and-a-half at the Curragh.

Jockey Chris Hayes, who landed the fillies’ Classic for Weld 12 months ago with Homeless Songs, admitted Tahiyra’s victory left him a relieved man after finishing second in the English Guineas.

‘I know we could do no more at Newmarket, but I was very deflated after and I took it hard,’ he told Racing TV.

‘It was just self-criticism, but we were able to get things right today. Tactically I had to be very aware from where I was drawn, and I needed a willing partner and by God she’s good.

Jockey Chris Hayes celebrates after taking victory by a length-and-a-half from Mediate

Tahiyra’s owner Princess Aga Khan following Sunday’s victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas

‘She’s tough and tenacious. Ideally, she’d like a faster pace, but it’ll show you how good she is when she can adapt to circumstances like that. I’d always consider myself a journeyman jockey, so it was the most pressure.’

Earlier on the card, The Aidan O’Brien-trained Luxembourg held off the challenge of Sir Michael Stoute’s Bay Bridge to win the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup by half a length.

O’Brien’s four-year-old — who was leaving a poor comeback run well behind — showed a tremendous attitude under Ryan Moore.

• Passenger, an unlucky loser when dead-heating for third in the Dante Stakes at York, will today be supplemented for Saturday’s Betfred Derby by Sir Michael Stoute.