19:10 Leopardstown (IRE) 16 Jul 2026
BOYLE Sports Meld Stakes
Group 3 | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner €42,000 - 6 ran
tracked leaders and headway to lead after 1 1/2f, pushed along and 2 lengths clear under 2f out, soon ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden over 1f out and headway into 2nd 100 yards out, no impression on winner
mid-division, 3rd halfway, pushed along entering straight, 2nd and ridden over 1f out, no impression and dropped to 3rd final 100 yards
in rear, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 4th closing stages
always towards rear, 5th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
led early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, 3rd and ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €18.90 (5, 2) |
| Win | €2.10 (5) |
| Place | €1.20 (5), €2.60 (2) |
| Exacta | €17.60 (5, 2) |
| Trifecta | €68.60 (5, 2, 6) |
Expert Analysis
A Group 3 where the pace was steady in the first half of the race before picking up from halfway, Colin Keane moving the winner forward to lead early on a decisive move. The form looks average for the grade as the winner had not won since debut despite having plenty of goes around this level.
GERYON is a consistent type albeit one with a ceiling, and got a good ride here, his jockey making an early move to lead when the pace was at its slowest. From there, he controlled the race and went clear in the straight, never looking in danger thereafter. He should continue to run well at this level.
COWARDOFTHECOUNTY has found consistency this season having been a patchy performer before and was at his best here. He broke better than is often the case and raced in midfield before getting outpaced along the side of the track. From there he rallied well and seemed to stay the trip.
ISAAC NEWTON was fine at the stalls here after blowing his start last time but was beaten on merit, not finishing his race off as well as the two that beat him.
SYZYGY was held up, likely with the aim of picking up black type, and ran on late.
ADELAIDE RIVER is not long with Joseph O’Brien but has not been near his best on his last two starts.
SNELLEN won this race last year and had run well at Royal Ascot but was well beaten after making the running. Her yard has been in quiet period since the start of the summer.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 19:10 Leopardstown 16th Jul 2026
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 4 | Snellen | 6 | 4 | 9 6 | - | 1-54642 | 29 days | G P Cromwell (70 miles) | Shane Foley | 16/ 1 | 1:55.32 |
| 2024 | Good | 7 | Diego Velazquez | 2 | 3 | 9 5 | - | 116-480 | 27 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Ryan Moore | 8/ 11 | 1:52.32 |
| 2023 | Soft | 4 | Self Belief | 1 | 4 | 9 9 | - | 151-345 | 19 days | W McCreery (38 miles) | Billy Lee | 13/ 2 | 2:00.82 |
| 2022 | Good | 6 | Boundless Ocean | 4 | 3 | 8 13 | - | 210326 | 19 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 15/ 8 | 2:00.49 |
| 2021 | Good | 8 | Japan | 1 | 5 | 10 0 | - | 359-136 | 26 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Ryan Moore | 15/ 8 | 1:52.99 |
| 2020 | Good | 8 | Patrick Sarsfield | 2 | 4 | 9 11 | - | 3221-11 | 8 days | J P O'Brien (76 miles) | Declan McDonogh | 5/ 2 | 1:52.90 |
| 2019 | Good | 7 | Mohawk | 2 | 3 | 9 5 | - | 417-287 | 46 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Donnacha O'Brien | 9/ 4 | 1:54.98 |
| 2018 | Good to Firm | 4 | Turret Rocks | 3 | 5 | 9 6 | - | 34-6416 | 18 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 14/ 1 | 1:55.20 |
| 2017 | Good - Yielding | 5 | Moonlight Magic | 3 | 4 | 9 9 | - | 363-273 | 18 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 5/ 1 | 1:58.80 |
| 2016 | Good to Firm | 7 | Decorated Knight | 9 | 4 | 9 9 | - | 134-412 | 41 days | H & R Charlton | G Baker | 9/ 4 | 1:55.93 |
| 2015 | Yielding | 6 | Carla Bianca | 1 | 4 | 9 9 | - | 1111-42 | 32 days | D K Weld (38 miles) | P J Smullen | 6/ 4 | 1:57.80 |
| 2014 | Good to Firm | 4 | Parish Hall | 4 | 5 | 9 12 | - | 9-36262 | 21 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 11/ 8 | 2:13.77 |
| 2013 | Good | 7 | Scintillula | 2 | 3 | 8 11 | - | 27-4124 | 5 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 6/ 1 | 1:52.64 |
| 2012 | Good | 6 | Famous Name | 3 | 7 | 9 12 | - | 4-13121 | 25 days | D K Weld (38 miles) | P J Smullen | 3/ 10 | 1:54.60 |
| 2011 | Soft | 4 | Famous Name | 5 | 6 | 9 12 | - | 71-1131 | 27 days | D K Weld (38 miles) | P J Smullen | 4/ 9 | 1:56.71 |
| 2010 | Good | 6 | Famous Name | 3 | 5 | 9 12 | - | 1123-11 | 74 days | D K Weld (38 miles) | P J Smullen | 4/ 6 | 1:54.62 |
| 2009 | Soft | 8 | She's Our Mark | 8 | 5 | 9 4 | - | 3-71251 | 11 days | P J Flynn (105 miles) | D M Grant | 10/ 1 | 2:08.74 |
| 2008 | Good to Firm | 4 | King Of Rome | 1 | 3 | 8 11 | - | 0-52036 | 18 days | A P O'Brien (119 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 5/ 4 | 2:04.50 |
| 2007 | Soft | 6 | Fracas | 5 | 5 | 9 7 | - | 47-2251 | 49 days | D Wachman (119 miles) | Wayne Lordan | 4/ 5 | 1:10.38 |
| 2006 | Good to Firm | 6 | Heliostatic | 1 | 3 | 8 11 | - | 1-28617 | 27 days | J S Bolger (56 miles) | Kevin Manning | 11/ 10 | 2:06.58 |
