Buonarroti another Leading Light?

Joseph O’Brien moved ever closer to Mick Kinane’s record number of winners in an Irish flat season as he won the mile and one juvenile maiden in Tipperary on the impressive Buonarroti

Aidan O’Brien’s two-year-old colt had finished fourth on debut in Galway last month, two places behind Whitey O’ Gwaun who reopposed today.

The form was turned around emphatically as Buonarroti made all and pulled away in the home straight with a quarter of a mile to run.

The 7/4 favourite came in by eight and a half lengths. He was supported from 9/4 this morning. Jim Bolger’s Evason on his first racecourse outing, stayed on well to get up for second at 14/1, a neck in front of fellow 14/1 shot Abushamah who had been prominent throughout.

Joseph O’Brien, after partnering his 114th winner of the season, said: “He jumped and travelled nicely and quickened up well. I thought he would improve a lot from Galway. The lads that ride him at home said he had. He’s a nice staying prospect and was impressive.”

This year’s English St Leger winner Leading Light won this race last season for Aidan O’Brien. He is one of the leading fancies for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Longchamp today at 3.15pm. This was Aidan O’Brien’s eighth winner in the last two weeks.

Mick Kinane rode 115 winners in the Irish flat season of 1993.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes