O'Brien plunders Curragh

Aidan O’Brien completed a treble at The Curragh today achieving the feat when his Pirateer whose form had been given a jaw-dropping boost in the Irish Derby earlier, landed the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise EBF Handicap.

Pirateer, completing a double for visting jockey Ryan Moore, made all and eventually held the challenge of Ezalli by three parts of a length. After ards O’Brien said, “Pirateer’s last run was when he beat Treasure Beach in a nursery at Listowel last September!”

“Today, Pirateer kept going and going and Ryan gave him a great ride. Ryan said a mile is fine for him but he might get further and he may now step up to a Group race.”

Pirateer, albeit receiving 9lbs, defeated today’s Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach when last seen, at Listowel’s Festival meeting last September.

Thomas Weekes