Gleneagles Colt Swoops Late To Take Desmond Stakes

Group 2 winning juvenile Royal Dornoch (3c Gleneagles - Bridal Dance, by Danehill Dancer) showed an impressive turn of foot when taking Thursday’s feature at Leopardstown, the Group 3 Desmond Stakes.

Ridden patiently by Seamie Heffernan, the bay became short of room in the straight and was forced to delay his challenge until a gap appeared a furlong from home. Running on strongly, he led close home to deny the favourite Ancient Spirit by a neck.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt defeated Kameko to land the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at the end of last season, his previous performances including finishing third to Golden Horde in the Richmond Stakes.

Owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs John Magnier, Royal Dornoch was bred by Barronstown Stud, who sold him as a yearling for 240,000 guineas. He becomes a second Stakes winner in the space of a week by Gleneagles, following Measure Of Time’s success in the Listed Prix Michel Houyvet at Deauville.