14:45 Leopardstown (IRE) 12 Sep 2026
HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes
Group 1 | Class 1 | 2YO only
Winner €240,000 - 9 ran
broke well, tracked leaders and 5th halfway, pushed along early straight and headway to lead over 1f out, ridden and kept on strongly inside final furlong, drew clear closing stages
towards rear, pushed along and headway under 2f out, ridden and went 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway and pushed along entering straight, ridden over 1f out and no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along early straight and ridden over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
mid-division, 6th and pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
prominent and disputed lead, led approaching straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along approaching straight and in rear 2f out, headway into 6th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led or disputed lead, pushed along and headed approaching straight, ridden and dropped towards rear 1 1/2f out, eased final furlong
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €15.30 (2, 4) |
| Tricast | €64.24 (2, 4, 7) |
| Win | €2.00 (2) |
| Place | €1.30 (2), €3.60 (4), €2.05 (7) |
| Swinger | €6.50 (2, 4), €3.15 (2, 7), €9.00 (4, 7) |
| Exacta | €23.10 (2, 4) |
| Trifecta | €77.10 (2, 4, 7) |
Expert Analysis
A new Group 1 over a longer distance, this race looks made for the type of horses trained at Ballydoyle and it went that way with the well-backed favourite who won in impressive style. The emphasis was on stamina, a strong gallop set by a free-going front-runner and a pacemaker, both the winner and runner-up coming from behind.
DARKNESS FALLS was making a quick return having win his maiden easily a fortnight ago and improved again, looking an excellent staying prospect. Having broke well, Ryan Moore took him back off a strong gallop and he made good headway out wide in the straight before clearing away. That wide route was an advantage for much of the card, though he was far superior to these. On this evidence, he looks more a Derby horse than a Guineas one.
JESUS GREEN was the least experienced in the field and ran an excellent race on his second start. Slightly slow at the stalls, he was crossed by a rival early and got detached in rear. He made a big move on the outer early in the straight and was still travelling well two furlongs out before flattening out late. This effort paid a compliment to Wall Street who beat him at this track on debut.
QUEST FOR STARS was already a Listed winner rated 103 and he gives the form a solid look. He looked a strong stayer at the trip.
PIKACHU is another that gives the form solidity with his experience and mark of 104, but there does not seem to be much more to come. He may have made his move a little sooner than ideal.
GREEN DREAMER looked likely to be suited by this step up in trip and raced in the right position in mid-division but made little meaningful impact. He was one of several horses to let down the form of the Futurity Stakes over the weekend.
NOLA SOUL looked like a non-stayer. He took a typically keen hold as part of a contested lead but still travelled well and kicked a little clear early in the straight before fading late, perhaps unsuited by racing down the inner.
SHAKESPEARE looked awkward when running at this track on his penultimate start and it was the same here, hanging in the straight. Headgear may be applied sooner rather than later.
ZARAK PASHA was never involved.
VICTORY SPEECH acted as a pacemaker for the winner.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 14:45 Leopardstown 12th Sep 2026
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good - Yielding | 4 | Benvenuto Cellini | 3 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 21 | 61 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Christophe Soumillon | 1/ 2 | 1:42.35 |
| 2024 | Good | 4 | Green Impact | 2 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 21 | 51 days | Mrs J Harrington (38 miles) | Shane Foley | 5/ 2 | 1:39.52 |
| 2023 | Good | 7 | Diego Velazquez | 2 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 1 | 28 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Ryan Moore | 8/ 15 | 1:40.46 |
| 2022 | Soft | 5 | Auguste Rodin | 5 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 21 | 70 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Ryan Moore | 11/ 10 | 1:45.25 |
| 2021 | Good | 10 | Atomic Jones | 1 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 1 | 76 days | G M Lyons (70 miles) | Colin Keane | 10/ 1 | 1:42.75 |
| 2020 | Good | 9 | Cadillac | 8 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 12 | 21 days | Mrs J Harrington (38 miles) | Shane Foley | 11/ 8 | 1:40.93 |
| 2019 | Good | 7 | Mogul | 7 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 21 | 15 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Ryan Moore | 1/ 2 | 2:42.59 |
| 2018 | Good to Firm | 7 | Madhmoon | 9 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 1 | 30 days | K Prendergast (38 miles) | Chris Hayes | 6/ 5 | 1:41.00 |
| 2017 | Good - Yielding | 10 | Nelson | 7 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 621 | 23 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Donnacha O'Brien | 11/ 2 | 1:47.35 |
| 2016 | Good | 5 | Landfall | 3 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 1 | 20 days | K J Condon (38 miles) | Shane Foley | 9/ 1 | 1:43.49 |
| 2015 | Yielding | 9 | Johannes Vermeer | 2 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 31 | 24 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 5/ 1 | 1:43.99 |
| 2014 | Good to Firm | 7 | John F Kennedy | 3 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 21 | 34 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 4/ 7 | 1:38.44 |
| 2013 | Good | 4 | Australia | 3 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 21 | 49 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 5/ 2 | 1:40.30 |
| 2012 | Good | 6 | Battle Of Marengo | 3 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 31 | 18 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 9/ 10 | 1:38.68 |
