Sapphire provides a snapshot of Ireland's sprint decline - and it runs much deeper than one race
Ireland's sprinting division is at a low ebb, a situation serious enough to merit a wholesale review by the authorities, working with breeders, trainers, owners and agents to identify potential remedies.
The home team took a familiar hammering when Believing led home a one-two-three for the visitors in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes over five furlongs at the Curragh on Saturday.
It was a sobering weekend across the board, with You Got To Me becoming the third British-trained Classic winner of the 2024 Irish season, and Pattern success for two other raiders, Poet Master and Royal Dress. However, such details are merely a snapshot in time and are not necessarily significant in the overall scheme.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inAnother View
Last updated
Copy- Seizing his moment: how Darragh O'Keeffe stepped out of Rachael Blackmore's shadow to become the standout rider of the season
- When Halloween once ruled Boxing Day - and how racing has missed a trick by not pushing out the boat for young fans
- Trust me, the Breeders' Cup is brutal but brilliant - all you need is a half-baked system and a whole lot of luck
- Why no Frankel Stakes? Surely it's time to honour the unbeaten champion racehorse
- Oisin Murphy may be out on his own but Cieren Fallon is riding high and two old allies could see him finish season with a flourish
- Seizing his moment: how Darragh O'Keeffe stepped out of Rachael Blackmore's shadow to become the standout rider of the season
- When Halloween once ruled Boxing Day - and how racing has missed a trick by not pushing out the boat for young fans
- Trust me, the Breeders' Cup is brutal but brilliant - all you need is a half-baked system and a whole lot of luck
- Why no Frankel Stakes? Surely it's time to honour the unbeaten champion racehorse
- Oisin Murphy may be out on his own but Cieren Fallon is riding high and two old allies could see him finish season with a flourish