'He'd step into a ring with Mike Tyson' - brave Bears shows fighting qualities

Saturday: Curragh

The Curragh once again proved a happy hunting ground for the David Loughnane-trained Go Bears Go.

In two previous visits here, Loughnane's colt had won the Railway Stakes and been a somewhat unlucky third in the Phoenix Stakes in 2021. In his first start here as a three-year-old he made it two from three as he recorded a gutsy success in the Group 2 Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

In the hands of regular rider Rossa Ryan, Go Bears Go set out to make all, was briefly headed a furlong out by Ano Syra, but that only got him angry as he fought back to regain the lead inside the last and went away to win by a length and a quarter.

"It's easy to train a good horse," joked Loughnane, adding: "He's been rock-solid all year. He disappointed at Ascot, but it was not his day, he just got out of bed the wrong side and didn't run his race, but he hasn't missed a beat other than that.

"He's only been out of the frame twice in his life and is just a pleasure to train. He's a horse I hold very close to my heart and I probably always will.

"He loves a battle. He probably hasn't the ability of some of the horses he has come up against but he's a terrier. He would step into a ring with Mike Tyson. The second he was challenged here it was game over.

"At the moment the plan is to head to Kentucky Downs next month for a Grade 2 over six and a half furlongs and then head for the Prix de la Foret in October, but everything is on the table and it is a great position to be in."

1,000 up for O'Brien

It is six years and two months since a Max Morris-owned two-year-old named Justice Frederick gave Joseph O'Brien his first official winner as a trainer. That victory was the first leg of an across-the-card four-timer for O'Brien at Gowran Park and Listowel.

On Saturday, he reached another major landmark in his glittering career as 1-2 favourite Al Riffa gave him his 1,000th winner as a trainer with victory in the 7f maiden.

O'Brien is preparing runners at Saratoga so was not present to receive the plaudits, but his assistant Brendan Powell was all smiles at the achievement.

"Fair play to him," said Powell. "It's phenomenal to do what he has done at his age, and it keeps us in a job for another while!"

O'Brien's father Aidan said: "I'm over the moon for him because I know how hard he works."

Al Riffa is impressive in bringing up trainer Joseph O'Brien's 1,000th winnerCredit: Caroline Norris

The winner looks a pretty promising colt, too. In a race run at a middling gallop, he quickened up well under Dylan Browne McMonagle and was always doing enough to hold off Ballydoyle newcomer Salt Lake City by a length and a half.

Powell said: "He's a grand horse. He was first off it, niggling, but he's big and still immature.

"The future is bright, he could be anything. He goes on quick ground for a big horse, but he might just be better with a bit of cut in it. The National Stakes has been mentioned. I think he'll be a cracking three-year-old."

Winner number 1,001 for O'Brien came later on the card when In Ecstasy landed the mile handicap under Declan McDonogh.

Results, replays and analysis

Read these next:

'A very special horse' - Little Big Bear demolishes Phoenix Stakes rivals

How do you assess next year’s 2,000 Guineas after the Phoenix Stakes?

Ruthless Callan dazzles but it's Wilson who sums up the magic of the Shergar Cup (£)

'He's reaping the dividends' - Callan stars as GB & Ireland scoop Shergar Cup

'I shouldn't be in the bar but probably will' - Shergar Cup win thrills Ryan

Lakota Sioux heading for Group 1 company after breakthrough win for owners

Gutsy Mr McCann cheers Liverpool players after opening day frustration

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.