Unbeaten No Nay Never Juveniles Complete Group 2 Double

No Nay Never’s extraordinary juvenile crop continued to make their mark on Saturday, as they provided Aidan O’Brien with a Group 2 double at the Curragh.

O’Brien’s ultra-impressive Group 1 winner Little Big Bear (No Nay Never) currently heads the betting for next year’s 2,000 Guineas and stablemate Meditate (2f No Nay Never - Pembina, by Dalakhani) is now favourite for the fillies’ equivalent after extending her unbeaten record in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes.

An impressive debut winner at the track, the daughter of No Nay Never followed up with back-to-back Group 3 victories, and stepped up to seven furlongs at the weekend. Ryan Moore partnered her to justify favouritism by three parts of a length, while Thornbrook (Saxon Warrior) was just a further neck back in third.

“It was a lovely performance, the in-form winning trainer said after the race. “She looks very exciting.”

The Moyglare Stud Stakes is next on the agenda for Meditate, who is owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Westerberg. Bought by Jamie McCalmont as a yearling for €360,000, she was bred by Lynch-Bages and Rhinestone Bloodstock

Aesop’s Fables (2c No Nay Never - How’s She Cuttin, by Shinko Forest) extended his unbeaten record earlier on the card, when leading home a 1-2 for Ballydoyle in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes.

The Barronstown Stud-bred brother to Washington DC had been absent since a smart debut success in April, but was well-supported as he stepped up to seven furlongs on return. Moore asked the bay to challenge two furlongs from home and made headway under pressure to lead inside the final furlong, going on to score by two and a quarter lengths. Stablemate Hans Andersen claimed runners-up honours, with a neck back to Group 3 winner Proud And Regal (Galileo) in third.

Speaking after the race, O’Brien said, “He's a big, strong, powerful horse and a beautiful mover and very well balanced. I would say he will progress a lot.”