Kyprios and Ryan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
Kyprios won his second Comer Group International Irish St. Leger at the Curragh today, as Aidan O'Brien's outstanding stayer has been confirmed by owner Eva Maria Bucher-Haefner to again return to training in 2025.
Winner of two Ascot Gold Cups, Kyprios suffered a life-threatening fetlock injury following his 20-lengths Prix Du Cadran romp in 2022 and, on his comeback run in last year's renewal of today's race, met with defeat to Eldar Eldarov.
The six-year-old-entire has enjoyed an uninterrupted and undefeated 2024 campaign and today followed up Ascot and Goodwood Cup wins, under regular jockey Ryan Moore, when beating main rival Giavellotto — rated just 1lb inferior to Kyprios, comprehensively.
O'Brien commented “he's so special, he's a very very special horse and every year he seems to be improving. That even looks to be his best again and Ryan said he won so easy.
“It's a special place and a special race.”
He added “it's a very special pedigree and Eva has brought it along all the way and these kind of horses are once in a life time.
“In the Ascot Gold Cup very few horses are able to get that far but this horse has serious class as well. He's so genuine to get through what he has had: he's one in a million.”
“He doesn't have to run again this year; the way we approach every race is that we see how he is and have a chat and then see if we go again and he could run in an Arc. It's important to mind him, do the right thing for him, and let him tell us how he is and where he wants to go at that time of the year.”
When he was asked if the Prxi Du Cadran would be a likelier option rather than the 'Arc he added “I don't know, obviously there is only one Arc and he has a serious engine.
Bucher-Haefner, of Moyglare Stud, added “it's the first time I've been here where he's won. I was here last year and he was second. What beautiful work they've done with him because he was quite sick.”
When asked if Kyprios would return to racing in 2025, she notably added “I'd say yes, I would love to see him again.”
Yesterday's English St Leger win by Jan Brueghel marked the 19th successive year in which Kyprios' late sire Galileo has sired a Classic winner.
Quotes from Gary Carson
