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

Tahiyra atones for Newmarket let-down with victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh as jockey Chris Hayes hails ‘tough and tenacious’ filly

  • The Aga Khan-owned horse had come second in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas
  • But memories of that were exorcised with a storming win in the Irish version 

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.

Tahiyra storms to victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday 

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

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

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.

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