Murtagh completes Curragh hat-trick

Aidan O'Brien's dominance of the Irish Classic scene ended when he failed to win his tenth consecutive domestic Classic in the 1000 Guineas earlier in the day, but the Ballydoyle trainer did saddle Grand Ducal to win the Group 3 Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes at The Curragh today.

Grand Ducal, who had to be re-shod prior to the start of the race, was providing jockey Johnny Murtagh with the third leg of a treble, eventually arriving in the last stride to deny 13/8 favourite Alaivan by a head.

Afterwards O'Brien stated "Grand Ducal is tough and he shows he can get 1m2f" he may even get a mile and a half."half."