Whistlejacket Lands Listed Prize En Route To Royal Ascot

Coolmore Stud sires dominated the Listed Committed Stakes at Navan on Saturday, where Group 1-winning juvenile Whistlejacket (3c No Nay Never – Adventure Seeker, by Bering) made a winning seasonal return under Ryan Moore.

Aidan O’Brien’s Prix Morny victor was sent off favourite despite his Group 1 penalty and tracked the leaders in the early stages of the six-furlong sprint. Quickening before the two-furlong pole, he ran on strongly when asked and got up to beat stablemate Ides Of March (Wootton Bassett) by half a length. Smart juvenile Sparkling Sea (Starspangledbanner) ran well on her return to sprinting, finishing third, with another four and a half lengths back to Midnight Strike (Starspangledbanner) in fourth.

Speaking after the race, Aidan O’Brien said: “We thought both horses were just about ready to start and wanted to hopefully get two runs into him before Ascot. The plan was to come here, go to Naas and then go for the Commonwealth Cup.”

On the winner, he continued: “Ryan said he didn't get any cover and got a little bit tired but he was very happy with him.”

On the runner-up, he added: “You would be delighted with him too. He's a good traveller, a high cruiser and doesn't lie down easily.”

As well as scoring at the top level last season, Whistlejacket won a Listed race and the Group 2 July Stakes, before finishing second in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes.

Owned by Coolmore partners with Peter Brant, MV Magnier’s 500,000gns yearling purchase was bred by Camas Park, Lynch Bages and Summerhill. The son of No Nay Never is a full-brother to champion two-year-old Little Big Bear.