Tahiyra 4-1 favourite for 1,000 Guineas after stunning Group 1 win
Sunday: Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh
Ted Walsh, who doesn't need any introduction but let's call him a vastly experienced trainer and pundit who has seen it all, was in no doubt he had seen something special.
"She's the real Ally Daly, she has everything," proclaimed Walsh on RTE after Tahiyra had lit up a dull, damp and dreary Sunday afternoon at the Curragh.
For those of you unaware what the reference means, apparently Ally Daly is a standard of excellence based on the quality of the dairy products of early 19th century Irish farmer Alice Daly.
It was hard to argue with Ted. Tahiyra excelled once again, just as she did when winning a traditionally hot Galway maiden on debut, but this time she was beating an unbeaten Albany winner trained by Aidan O'Brien who went into the race as favourite for next year's 1,000 Guineas.
Tahiyra must be special to reel in a filly like Meditate, who traded at a low of 1-5 on Betfair in running. She didn't just catch her either, she breezed by her and is now 4-1 favourite for the 1,000 Guineas with Ladbrokes having begun the day at 25-1. It is hard to argue with that either.
Chris Hayes was the coolest customer at the Curragh as he didn't flinch when Ryan Moore kicked on Meditate. He knew what was underneath him.
"She is a little sweetheart!" said Hayes with a smile that could last until he sits on her again, which is likely to be next year as Dermot Weld said we wouldn't see her again in 2022.
Hayes added: “She's a funny character, but the good ones normally are. When you are riding her at home in work, if you send her down with a horse rated 45, she will stay beside it. If you send her down with a horse rated 90, she will stay beside it.
"I knew the way she was travelling on the ground, she was going to quicken on it."
She certainly did quicken and Weld thinks she will be a "beautiful filly" next spring. Well, I have news for you, Dermot, she is a beautiful one now.
Weld said: "She did it very well and she's beaten a very high-class, multiple Group-winning filly. It was an excellent renewal of the race. I was afraid it might just come a little soon in her career, at Group 1 level, and I've always said what a beautiful filly she would be next spring. We've a lot to look forward to."
He added: "I just told Chris to take his time and make steady progress, as she has lots of pace, and to come inside the last furlong. It takes confidence to do that. She's a half-sister to Tarnawa, our champion filly. There is tremendous stamina in the pedigree, brilliance and speed."
Tahiyra seems to have inherited both the brilliance and the speed. She's the real Ally Daly all right.
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