July 20 / 15.05 Curragh

15.05

Good

Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £61565.22
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • 9 runners
RTE2
View Course
Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 0-9144 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Smart filly looks even better this season, easily landing a Haydock Listed before finishing a close fourth in the King Charles III at Ascot; not at her best later in the week in the Jubilee Stakes but that was her third run in two weeks; freshened up since and back over five; should take plenty of beating.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(11)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Believing

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

In foal to Frankel; sold to new owners for 3,000,000gns last December and broke her Group 1 duck with Meydan success (6f) on reappearance; didn't live up to market expectations returned to 5f at Royal Ascot, albeit not ideally drawn; normally consistent and made the frame in several top sprints prior to her Dubai performance; likely to rebound.

9/1

14

(1)

17th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Believing

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

Very reliable mare who stood a tough 2024 season with fortitude, regularly on the premises in the top sprints, including when fourth, having every chance, in this one (the first of two runs at the meeting); she achieved more when going down only narrowly from a poor draw in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (5f, good to firm) in August; sold for 3,000,000gns in December; returned to action with a Group 1 win at Meydan (6f) in April and she looks set for another big run at the top level.

9/2

2nd

13

(1)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Believing

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

raced far side, midfield, headway inside final furlong, went second inside final 110yds, ran on well towards finish

7/2

12/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 51-351 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner and has started this season well, a close third in the Palace House Stakes and dead-heated in a Listed at Ayr; improving filly and versatile as to ground; could get into the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(12)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Beautiful Diamond

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: K R Burke

Three Listed wins, latest at Ayr (5.5f, soft) last September; returned with Listed third at Bath (5f, good) but well beaten in Longchamp Group 3 (5f, soft) since; fifth in this race in 2024; may again be vulnerable.

14/1

3rd

1

(1)

5th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

15:10 Bath

Beautiful Diamond

9st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Her three Listed wins have all come at Ayr, but she is fully effective elsewhere and ran right up to her best when a neck second at Ascot when last seen in October (5f, soft); can go well fresh and she is a leading contender despite her 3lb penalty.

2/1

2nd

6

(11)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Beautiful Diamond

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Beaten only by triple Group 3 winner Rumstar in this race 12 months ago and she took her form to an even higher level when running away with a fillies' Listed event at Ayr (5.5f, soft) last month; fresher than most after just two outings this year and she may still have untapped potential.

11/4

13/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 6-7271 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner probably put up a career best when getting up close home to land the Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown two weeks ago; behind Believing at Ascot and needs to find a bit more to win this but that is far from impossible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

(3)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Makarova

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

raced far side, midfield, good headway over 1f out, ran on well and went third towards finish

20/1

7th

12

(9)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Makarova

9st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ed Walker

Creditable fourth of 16 in this race last year but she's finished behind a few of these rivals since, including at Royal Ascot and when third to Believing at the Curragh last month; will do well to be involved.

25/1

14/1

Form: -14534 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won the first nursery of the season at this meeting last year; won a Dundalk conditions race on his return in March and has stepped up in class since, running with credit in Listed contests at Cork and here last month; needs to find a bit more here but going the right way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(7)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Jakajaro

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Robert Cowell

He's got back on track in a major way in 5f handicaps this spring, winning at Newmarket then impressively making all in a big field at York last week (both on good ground; effective on soft early in career); back up in grade this afternoon but this thriving 5yo could be capable of another bold bid.

8/1

1st

2

(18)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Jakajaro

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Snapped a lengthy losing sequence when making virtually all to win at Newmarket (5f, good) last month on his reappearance; he needs to back up that performance but did it comfortably last time and, following a 5lb rise, remains well treated on his historic exploits; a possible.

12/1

Form: 0-4392 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Yet to make the breakthrough at stakes level but getting closer; third in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes and touched off in the Listed Dash last month; likely to run her race again but might just come up short despite her liking for this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(3)

5th Oct 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:15 Curragh

Ano Syra

9st 3lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: John James Feane

led, soon joined, led again 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish

13/2

7th

9

(6)

29th Sep 2024

Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Ano Syra

9st 4lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: John James Feane

in touch with leaders

16/1

11th

12

(16)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Ano Syra

9st 3lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: John James Feane

raced near side, midfield

66/1

Form: 562411 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner, easily landing a Down Royal handicap and a Tipperary conditions event last twice; has fallen short at stakes level but confidence will have risen after her last two performances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(13)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Shes Quality

9st 3lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

1-15 in stakes race, that win gained in a 5f Listed event last season; despite that poor strike rate, she deserves plenty of credit for consistency this season; runner-up in four consecutive British Group 2/3 races before well held in mid-field behind Asfoora in the Nunthorpe.

10/1

10th

13

(11)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Shes Quality

9st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

She doesn't hang around and can lead but she found the stiff 5f at Sandown (good to firm) against her when run down late on by Rumstar in July; ridden much more patiently in Group 2 at Goodwood since, setting to work with a will but failing by a neck to overhaul Jm Jungle; this track can see her to good advantage and she can go well; blinkers return in place of cheekpieces.

10/1

2nd

12

(8)

1st Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Shes Quality

9st 1lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

Speedy filly; better than ever in 2025, notably when runner-up, after getting no cover and racing apart from the winner, in a warm Group 2 at Haydock (5f, good; had form on soft early in career) in May; perhaps found the steep 5f at Sandown rather too much since but this test can suit; in the thick of it.

8/1

Form: 554383 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Useful filly but had no obvious excuses when third of seven in Listed race at Ayr (5f, good to firm) last month; faces a stiffer task here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(1)

1st Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

16:00 Tipperary

So Majestic

9st 2lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Miss Kate McGivern

dwelt start, midfield up the centre, outpaced over 1f out

12/1

11th

13

(12)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

So Majestic

9st 10lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Miss Kate McGivern

Has ground to make up on Azure Blue on an Listed Ayr run in June and Group 2 company was a bitter pill to swallow in Believing's race at the Curragh in July; usual hood is discarded; has lots to find.

100/1

4th

3

(7)

10th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

16:00 Curragh

So Majestic

9st 11lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Miss Kate McGivern

dwelt start, in rear, smooth headway and in touch with leaders under 2f out, challenging 1f out, weakened inside final 110yds

11/2

Form: 80-928 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Listed and Group 3 winner in the past; back near his best when second at Naas in May; visored when midfield in the Rockingham here last month; much more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(6)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:42 Lingfield

Twilight Jet

10st 0lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Ex-Irish 7yo who had a much higher mark this time last year; well backed all day and on course when winning over C&D 12 days ago, and there's every chance he can defy a 3lb rise under Ashley Lewis, who has plenty of experience for his 3lb claim in this company.

Evs

1st

3

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:22 Lingfield

Twilight Jet

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Useful in Ireland in his younger days but has come 22lb down the weights in the space of a year for this yard; capable of popping up at this lower level but others have stronger claims.

12/1

8th

6

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Twilight Jet

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Smart in his prime; not the same force now but the pick of his 6f form on turf and AW in 2025 would give him a good shout; others are safer all the same.

14/1

Form: 52-240 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed a terrific season last year, winning the Norfolk Stakes and second in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf; returned from a brief foray Stateside to run disappointingly in the King Charles III; question to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Valiant Force

9st 5lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Robson De Aguiar

Sole win on turf in the 2023 Norfolk Stakes; has won five conditions races at Dundalk since, the most recent over 5f in February; has struggled since then, most recently last Sunday at Naas; out of his depth here.

50/1

9th

5

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:26 Naas

Valiant Force

9st 9lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Robson De Aguiar

Sole win on turf in the 2023 Norfolk Stakes; has won five conditions races at Dundalk since, the most recent a 4.25l win over 5f in February; well beaten at Lingfield, Newcastle and when 7.5l behind Keke in a 6f handicap here last time; others arrive in better form.

14/1

10th

1

(10)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 205y

18:15 Naas

Valiant Force

10st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Robson De Aguiar

Sole win on turf in the 2023 Norfolk Stakes; has won five conditions races at Dundalk since, the most recent a 4.25l win over 5f in February; well beaten at Lingfield and Newcastle the last twice and others arrive in better form.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €7.00
Straight Forecast €6.08
Trifecta €18.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Believing

The Irish Sun:

She's Quality

POSTDATA:

Ano Syra

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Believing

TOPSPEED:

Believing