15:50 Curragh (IRE) 14 Sep 2025
Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes
Group 1 | Class 1 | 2YO only
Winner €240,000 - 6 ran
held up towards rear, ridden to close 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, led narrowly under 1f out, joined again inside final 100 yards, kept on well, just prevailed at line where drifted slightly right
slightly impeded from stalls, held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to close in 3rd 2f out, led narrowly 1 1/2f out, narrowly headed under 1f out, rallied and disputed again inside final 100 yards, just denied at line and slight bump
held up towards rear, ran freely, ridden to close on outer 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression on leaders
went slightly left from stalls, soon led, ridden and joined 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, disputed 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no extra 2f out
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €14.78 (6, 2) |
| Win | €8.50 (6) |
| Place | €2.05 (6), €1.50 (2) |
| Exacta | €15.10 (6, 2) |
| Trifecta | €53.30 (6, 2, 3) |
Expert Analysis
A race that sometimes has a big say in who gets crowned the Champion 2YO and this year’s looks up to scratch, Zavateri not up there with the likes of Churchill (rated 122 in 2016) or Pinatubo (126 three years later), but comparable with most of the other recent winners on the day. The strong headwind had dropped a fair bit by this stage, which accounts in large part for this being 2.40s quicker than the Moyglare for fillies an hour and 10 minutes earlier, this not especially well-run as reflected in the winner’s 23.25s final 2f (106.6% finishing speed).
ZAVATERI (117 here, 113 previously) has tended to be under-rated by the public/bookies, going off only 4th favourite here despite having one of the best 2 bits of form, though that surely won’t be the case after this even better and very smart effort. He was not the quickest away and was held up, switched after halfway then quickening to lead over 1f out, unable to shake off Gstaad, and briefly headed by him again, but seeing things out tenaciously despite going right near the finish (survived a stewards enquiry). He should stay 8f next year but does not need a step up in trip at this stage.
GSTAAD (117 here, 115 previously) lost no standing in defeat and might even have bettered the form of his Morny second fractionally at this extra 1f, bumped at the start and in mid-field, responding to dispute the lead after 2f out and briefly edging ahead, just losing out in a nip-and-tuck finish. There is plenty of speed in his pedigree but it looks as if he will get 8f, next year of not this.
ITALY (109 here, 106 previously) has improved with each run and may not be far behind the first 2 here with this further experience under his belt, spoiling his chance by pulling hard early when in second-last but showing quite a bit of toe to follow the first 2 through, then edging right and one paced. By Wootton Bassett out of a 10f-winning sister to the Derby winner Serpentine, he should be suited by 8f+ in time but does need to curb his headstrong tendencies first.
DORSET (94 here, 102 previously)
NORTH COAST (86 here, 101 previously)
SABA DESERT (79 here, 108 previously) clearly wasn’t himself for some reason, in trouble by halfway.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 15:50 Curragh 14th Sep 2025
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Good | 8 | Scorthy Champ | 1 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 13 | 22 days | J P O'Brien (39 miles) | Dylan McMonagle | 12/ 1 | 1:25.08 |
| 2023 | Good - Yielding | 4 | Henry Longfellow | 6 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 11 | 22 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 10/ 11 | 1:27.54 |
| 2022 | Soft | 6 | Al Riffa | 5 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 21 | 36 days | J P O'Brien (39 miles) | Dylan McMonagle | 9/ 1 | 1:29.31 |
| 2021 | Good | 7 | Native Trail | 7 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 11 | 64 days | C Appleby | William Buick | 7/ 2 | 1:26.27 |
| 2020 | Good | 10 | Thunder Moon | 1 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 1 | 35 days | J P O'Brien (39 miles) | Declan McDonogh | 15/ 2 | 1:28.53 |
| 2019 | Good | 8 | Pinatubo | 6 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 1111 | 47 days | C Appleby | William Buick | 1/ 3 | 1:21.82 |
| 2018 | Good - Yielding | 7 | Quorto | 7 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 11 | 64 days | C Appleby | William Buick | 11/ 8 | 1:24.81 |
| 2017 | Soft - Heavy | 7 | Verbal Dexterity | 4 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 12 | 71 days | J S Bolger (31 miles) | Kevin Manning | 5/ 2 | 1:27.32 |
| 2016 | Yielding | 7 | Churchill | 5 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 3111 | 21 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 4/ 5 | 1:28.28 |
| 2015 | Good | 5 | Air Force Blue | 4 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 121 | 35 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 10/ 11 | 1:29.89 |
| 2014 | Good to Firm | 5 | Gleneagles | 5 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 4111 | 21 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 1/ 3 | 1:25.29 |
| 2013 | Good | 5 | Toormore | 1 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 11 | 46 days | R Hannon | Richard Hughes | EVENS | 1:22.67 |
| 2012 | Yielding | 7 | Dawn Approach | 2 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 1111 | 88 days | J S Bolger (31 miles) | Kevin Manning | 2/ 5 | 1:25.50 |
| 2011 | Soft | 9 | Power | 7 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 1112 | 34 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Seamie Heffernan | 11/ 4 | 1:27.74 |
| 2010 | Good - Yielding | 9 | Pathfork | 8 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 11 | 21 days | Mrs J Harrington (3 miles) | Fran Berry | 2/ 1 | 1:27.95 |
| 2009 | Soft | 6 | Kingsfort | 4 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 1 | 78 days | K Prendergast (3 miles) | Declan McDonogh | 9/ 4 | 1:33.63 |
| 2008 | Heavy | 7 | Mastercraftsman | 2 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 111 | 49 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 9/ 4 | 1:37.59 |
| 2007 | Good to Firm | 9 | New Approach | 7 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 111 | 22 days | J S Bolger (31 miles) | Kevin Manning | 9/ 4 | 1:23.51 |
| 2006 | Good | 6 | Teofilo | 5 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 111 | 22 days | J S Bolger (31 miles) | Kevin Manning | 2/ 1 | 1:26.40 |
| 2005 | Good | 8 | George Washington | 2 | 2 | 9 0 | - | 3111 | 42 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Kieren Fallon | 2/ 11 | 1:23.70 |
