Famous Name landed his tenth Group 3 and his third International Stakes
PICTURE: getty imagesInternational hat-trick for Famous Name
Report: Curragh, Sunday
Friarstown Stud International Stakes (Group 3) 1m2f, 3yo+
FAMOUS NAME registered a 17th win and his tenth Group 3 as he landed the International Stakes for the third time in his 34-race career, with daylight back to the second Defining Year.
Yet to win in Group 1 or Group 2 company, Famous Name has dominated at this level, especially in Ireland with cut in the ground, and with his ideal conditions this was no different.
The 4-7 favourite was as authoritative as his price suggested he should be, travelling strongly in behind long-time leader Defining Year, before pulling out under Pat Smullen and pulling well clear.
Second, beaten six lengths by subsequent Prince Of Wales's winner So You Think in a Group 1 on his last start, the drop in class again worked for the Khalid Abdullah-owned seven-year-old, who pulled three-and-three-quarter lengths clear.
Weld said: "He's a special horse. It's amazing the way he's retained his enthusiasm. We'd love to win a Group 1 with him and the plan is to go back to Germany for the Bayerisches-Zuchtrennen in Munich at the end of the month." Famous Name was second to Durban Thunder in the Bayerisches-Zuchtrennenlast year.
Native Khan, making his debut for John Oxx having previously been with Ed Dunlop, was third on his first start for over a year having pulled hard early.
Also on Sunday:
Hartani (left) romps to Curragh Cup glory under Johnny Murtagh
PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)At The Races Curragh Cup (Group 3) 1m6f, 3yo+
HARTANI marked himself out as a stayer of great potential, pulling well clear of his rivals for Johnny Murtagh.
The John Oxx-trained colt was landing the Group 3, won last year by subsequent Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux, on just his fourth start.
Having racked up a three-timer since finishing fifth on his debut, the Aga Khan-owned three-year-old ran out an easy winner and is now 20-1 with Ladbrokes for the St Leger.
Oxx said: "Hartani goes very well on that type of ground and Johnny said of all the horses he rode this weekend this fellow handled it the best.
"I'd imagine he will go for one of the St Legers and, hopefully, he'll get his ground. He'll probably run next in one of the St Leger trials. He stays very well and is a lovely, sensible horse and a good natured one."
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