Gstaad finally gets European Group 1 in Irish 2000 Guineas
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Gstaad recorded his first win in a European Group 1 in his fifth attempt with a comprehensive victory in Saturday’s $580,600 Irish 2000 Guineas at a mile for 3-year-olds at The Curragh.
Ridden by Ryan Moore for Aidan O’Brien, Gstaad closed from third in a field of nine to win by three lengths over Distant Storm. Gstaad took the lead with more than a furlong remaining and was quickly clear of his rivals.
Gstaad paid a mere $2.40 in American pools. Distant Storm (6-1) finished a length clear of 31-1 Pacific Avenue.
Gstaad gave Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien his 13th win in the Irish 2000 Guineas, a record for career wins in the country’s leading race for 3-year-old milers. Moore has won the race four times, one fewer than all-time leaders Tommy Burns Sr. and Martin Quirke.
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Gstaad won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last October in his only start outside of Europe. In Europe, Gstaad has finished second in four Group 1 races last year and earlier this month.
Last summer and early fall, Gstaad was second in three consecutive Group 1 races – by a short neck in the Prix Morny at Deauville Racecourse in France, by a head in the National Stakes at The Curragh, and by three-quarters of a length in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
On May 2, Gstaad was second by 2 3/4 lengths to Bow Echo in the Group 1 English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Distant Storm was third by 11 lengths in that race.
Bow Echo was held out of the Irish 2000 Guineas in favor of the Group 1 St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 16, a race likely to include Gstaad.
By Starspangledbanner, Gstaad has won 4 of 8 starts. He won the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at six furlongs by three lengths against 19 rivals at Royal Ascot last June.
Gstaad races for the Coolmore syndicate.
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