O'Brien's Noble wins Curragh prize

Aidan O'Brien saddled Alfred Noble to win the Group 1 Camas Park And Ashtown House Studs Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh today, equaling Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast record of ten wins in the race.

Ridden by stable jockey Johnny Murtagh, Alfred Noble was held up towards the rear, with stablemate Air Chief Marshal making the running. Murtagh asked Alfred Noble to quicken over a furlong out, and although the response was not immediate, he eventually got the better of Air Chief Marshal to win by a half length.

Afterwards O'Brien stated “Alfred Noble gets lonely out in front and it was that greeness that resulted in him being beaten on his first two starts. He is a very good moving horse and can change gears very quickly.”

He added “We were worried about the heavy ground but he has progressed well and may next run in the Prix Morny in a few weeks time. Staying seven furlongs wont be a problem for him.”

Boylesports subsequently cut Alfred Noble to 10/1 (from 14/1) for the 2010 English 2,000 Guineas.

The win moved jockey Johnny Murtagh onto the 50 winner mark for the season, six clear of Pat Smullen at the head of the Jockeys' Championship.

In historical terms, the win puts O'Brien on a par with Paddy Prendergast, who won the race ten times from the 1950s to the 1970s while O'Brien has now won ten of the twelve renewals of the race.