Dermot Weld was in relaxed mood this morning as he entertained members of the Irish racing press at his Rosewell House stables on the Curragh.
First on the agenda was a trip to the all-weather “Old Vic” gallop where two dozen of the three-year-olds and older horses were put through their paces over one mile and a furlong under the watchful eyes of both Dermot and his son Chris.
Without exception the hosres looked in perfect health and had obviously wintered well. Weld did point out however that his two-year-olds, which were further forward than normal two weeks ago, have now picked up colds and may take a few weeks to come back to themselves.
Back to Rosewell House and the covered schooling ring where the same horses walked around to cool down. The first to get special mention was Classic hope Grey Swallow partnered in his work by stable-jockey Pat Smullen.
“He has grown and lengthened over the winter and I am extremely happy with him,” said Weld. “He has matured both mentally and physically and while he has not been asked to do any serious work, I am very pleased with the little bits he has done.”
The Ultimatebet.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket is very much the target for Grey Swallow, but whether or not he has a prep race has not been decided. Weld explained: “ The Irish Guineas Trial at Leopardstown is the ideal race, but whereas it was three weeks before Newmarket in the calendar last season there are only two weeks between the races this time.”
Other three-year-olds to come in for special mention were fellow grey Medicinal (“very nice well made colt”), Simple Exchange (“immature last year- May foal- has progressed considerably”), Favourite Nation (“Group horse who wants firm ground”), new recruit Wathab (“interesting- is forward and should do well over seven furlongs to a mile”) and the fillies Misty Heights and Genuine Charm.
Genuine Charm is an unraced full-sister to Refuse To Bend and is a big staying filly which will need at least a mile and a quarter to be seen at her best. Weld was particularly sweet on the prospects for Misty Heights, commenting: “she has done very well and has a lovely temperament and will not be far off the very top. I may travel her to America in the latter part of the season.”
Weld has about sixty two-year-olds in his care, but was reluctant to single any out as potential stars at this early stage, but did say that Dateline (a non-runner at the Curragh on Sunday) was a particularly sharp sort. He then paraded Moonlight Dance, a half-sister to Grey Swallow by Sinndar owned by Dr. Michael Smurfit.
Vinnie Roe and In Times Eye are again expected to be challenging for top honours, while Media Puzzle is on the easy list, but progressing well and will return to the track in either May or June.
Weld concluded the briefing with an informal chat over tea where he was joined by Moyglare Stud manager Stan Cosgrove. Cosgrove fresh from his starring role in the Channel 4 documentary “Who Kidnapped Shergar” was in top form as he reminised.
