Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes report: Al Riffa swoops for Group One glory
By Sporting Life
16:06 · SUN September 11, 2022
Al Riffa came from off the pace to win the Group One Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.
It was a huge moment for winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle who gave his mount a patient ride.
With favourite Aesops Fable unable to put it to bed when going on over two furlongs out, the complexion of the race changed when the 9/1 winner found his stride down the centre of the track.
In front inside the final furlong, he hit the line hard and was a length-and-a-quarter clear of runner-up Proud And Regal (9/1). It was a good performance from Joseph O’Brien’s charge who was stepping out of maiden company for the first time.
Sky Bet cut Al Riffa to 10/1 from 25s for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas next spring.
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“It was a special performance. He won his maiden well and the owners were keen to supplement him for this,” said O’Brien. “It was a very impressive performance to come from the back of the field like that. He was a big shell of a horse as a yearling and I thought he’d make a lovely three-year-old, I didn’t for a minute think he’d make the two-year-old that he has made.
“He was a big, good moving horse and a horse that was going to mature well. His family is all stamina and for him to be doing what he’s doing at this stage is very positive for the future. We always thought he was a middle-distance horse, and he’s closely related to an Ascot Gold Cup winner so that’s real stamina – but he’s not slow and didn’t look in any way slow today.
“I’d imagine he’s a Guineas horse for sure and we’ll take it from there. He’s a classy horse and very exciting. The plan coming here was to go on to the race on Arc day (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere), but we’ll see how he comes out of it today and discuss it with the owners. We thought if we ran in the first three it would be a really good run and that would set him up lovely for the race in France. That’s what we were hoping and to see him come on the bridle down to the two today was quite special.”
On the 19-year-old McMonagle, he added: “Dylan has been riding very well for the last number of years. He won on this horse and he was entitled to keep the ride on him. I thought he gave him a marvellous, confident ride and he has a big future.”
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