October 22 / 13.30 Curragh

13.30

Soft

Staffordstown Stud Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies)

  • Prize money: £28217.39
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Staffordstown Stud Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1st
12 (2)
Whirl

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.10
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 451

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Fair fifth behind four colts in the 7f Convivial at York; won a maiden over the same trip at Doncaster on her third start; different going now; Ryan Moore prefers Giselle but could be in the mix if handling the ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(4)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Whirl

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Easily won the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York (1m2f, good to firm) in May before pushing Minnie Hauk close in the Oaks (1m4f, good to soft; 4l back to third) and her stablemate followed up in the Irish Oaks; won the Group 1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh (1m2f, good) last time and the runner-up Kalpana franked that form when second in the King George on Saturday; major player.

5/4

7

(7)

28th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:30 Curragh

Whirl

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Won 1m Group 3 at this venue on fourth and final start at two; below-par reappearance here in April; much more like it to win the Group 3 Musidora at York a month later, led over 3f out and ran on strongly; career-best when second in the Oaks, made the running and rallied well after being headed, emerging with almost as such as credit as stablemate Minnie Hauk.

11/8

2nd

9

(9)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:00 Epsom

Whirl

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

By Wootton Bassett; progressed nicely last year, on final start making most and rallying splendidly to take a 1m Group 3 at the Curragh (1m, soft) with Giselle among those on her heels; never seriously involved on reappearance and started joint-third favourite of six for the Group 3 Musidora at York (10.3f) a month later but she led over 3f out and ran on strongly to win in style; dam 1m winner but dam's sister Hydrangea won Group 1s over 1m and 1m4f; shapes as if she will stay and has big each-way chance.

9/2

14/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 45158

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Beat the useful Rough Diamond in a maiden at Leopardstown in July; limitations evident last time when raised in class in a Listed race at Leopardstown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

9

(15)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:10 Naas

And So To Bed

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Group-placed 2yo winner hasn't progressed as expected, third in 1m2f Group 3 here over the summer her better effort; plenty to find.

25/1

6th

8

(4)

20th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 100y

14:52 Gowran Park

And So To Bed

9st 2lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Second runner for yard; maiden winner as a 2yo was later second in a Group 3; the best of her five runs this term was when second in the Gowran Classic over C&D in June; has to rebound from two lesser runs.

20/1

6th

4

(6)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

15:27 Curragh

And So To Bed

9st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Ended last season with second to the classy Whirl in a Group 3 (1m, soft) here; back to that level of form when beaten neck by a stablemate in valuable Gowran conditions event in June but two runs since leave her with a fair bit to find here; cheekpieces added.

20/1

3rd
7 (11)
Giselle

11/8

Form: 21 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Frankel filly is first foal of a Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner; highly encouraging debut when runner-up behind stablemate Bedtime Story at Leopardstown in June; that form not perhaps as good as it looked at the time, but she landed the odds in a 7f maiden here early in the month; not sure to handle the ground, but probably worth taking the chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(3)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:00 Epsom

Giselle

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: A P O’Brien

By Frankel out of US 1m Grade 1 winner; won a maiden at the Curragh before close third to Whirl in Group 3 there (1m, soft) later in October; Lingfield Oaks Trial (11.6f, good to firm) was almost a non-event in terms of the opposition and she was pushed/nudged out to go 9l clear in the last 2f, having been held up last of three in a first-time hood (retained); while that was a satisfactory comeback, and she's reported to have improved a lot at home since, this race will demand a great deal more.

10/1

1st

1

(3)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 133y

Class 1

13:15 Lingfield

Giselle

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

steadied start, took keen hold, raced in third in touch with leaders

1/4

1

(3)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 133y

Class 1

13:15 Lingfield

Giselle

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Won a maiden at the Curragh last October on second start (7f, good; unraced on faster) and close third in Group 3 there (1m, soft) later that month; she could do with settling better now up in trip but the first-time hood could help in that regard; from top Irish yard and she's a leading candidate.

1/4

OUR TIP

Form: 333

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Took step forward from her debut when beaten a head in a 16-runner Naas maiden; respected on account of her third placing behind stablemate Apples And Bananas in the Goffs Million; second has since finished second in a Group 3, though soundly beaten.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(5)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

19:55 Gowran Park

Celtic Motif

9st 11lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Some notable form in 2yo maidens for this yard and went on to perform well in the US; at odds of 1-5 she duly outclassed her rivals in a Killarney maiden last month and interesting that she was engaged in a Group 3 at Leopardstown on Thursday only to be withdrawn.

4/1

Form: 51 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Still looked green when winning at Gowran last month; looks a less likely contender than stablemate Giselle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(8)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 71y

14:30 Curragh

Island Hopping

9st 0lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: A P O’Brien

Just 1-12 but has faced some stiff tasks in group races; her standout effort was a third in the Irish Oaks; was well below that form in a fillies' Listed race at Naas last time and has to rebound over a new trip.

12/1

9th

9

(8)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 71y

14:30 Curragh

Island Hopping

9st 0lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: A P O’Brien

Just 1-12 but has faced some stiff tasks in group races; her standout effort was a third in the Irish Oaks; was well below that form in a fillies' Listed race at Naas last time and has to rebound over a new trip.

12/1

14/1

Form: 4241 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Twice a beaten favourite before scoring at Thurles; experience should be an asset but the stable has stronger candidates.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(8)

22nd Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

13:30 Curragh

Mint Candy

9st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: A P O’Brien

Twice a beaten favourite before scoring at Thurles; experience should be an asset but the stable has stronger candidates.

14/1

1st

6

(1)

10th Oct 2024

Good

1m 0f 44y

13:55 Thurles

Mint Candy

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

made all, ridden from 1f out, kept on well final furlong

11/4

4th

7

(10)

17th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

13:55 Punchestown

Mint Candy

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

dwelt start, soon prominent, disputed lead after 2f

2/1

8/1

Form: 31

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Made a promising debut at Gowran in July; further progress likely from Naas maiden win; has a similar profile to several other runners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(4)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:25 Leopardstown

Cercene

9st 2lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

Third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, 1 3/4l off runner-up California Dreamer; sprang 33-1 success surprise in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot; no match for the front-running Whirl when stepped up 1m2f in the Nassau; coped well considering she was the outsider of five and running on ground that contrasted sharply with the quick surface she enjoyed at Royal Ascot.

9/2

20/1

Form: 451 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Promising fourth in a course maiden over 7f on debut and probably unsuited by 6f when fifth at Naas; appreciated the step up to this trip when winning a maiden at Cork; more needed now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

25th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Jaliyah

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Adrian Murray

Won Cork maiden over this trip on good-to-firm last autumn; had notched a win and two seconds from three runs this year but over longer trips and at a level a long way removed from Classic standard.

66/1

7

(4)

25th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Jaliyah

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Adrian Murray

Won Cork maiden over this trip on good-to-firm last autumn; had notched a win and two seconds from three runs this year but over longer trips and at a level a long way removed from Classic standard.

66/1

2nd

5

(5)

10th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 84y

16:20 Naas

Jaliyah

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Adrian Murray

midfield

5/1

Form: 5583

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Outran her odds when third to Fiona Maccoul in a valuable auction race at Naas; this company is more demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(11)

13th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

15:05 Doncaster

Copacabana Sands

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Trainer has won three of the last eight runnings and this 4yo was a 7f Group 3 winner for Michael O'Callaghan last June; however, she was well beaten last October on her final run for that yard and hasn't been at the top of her game this season on her first two starts for new yard.

25/1

5th

5

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:33 Chester

Copacabana Sands

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Hooded when winning Naas Listed event (good) and Leopardstown Group 3 (soft) over 7f for Michael O'Callaghan last year; below form tackling firmer ground when fifth in 7f Lingfield Group 3 on return for Andrew Balding (same owner); good chance if recapturing her best.

11/4

5th

1

(6)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Lingfield

Copacabana Sands

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Andrew Balding

Seems tactically versatile; hooded when winning Naas Listed event (good) last May and followed up in Leopardstown Group 3 (also 7f, soft) the following month; left Michael O'Callaghan (same owner) after disappointing on heavy ground in October; Ryan Moore booked and she sets the standard on this stable debut/reappearance; plenty to like.

7/4

Form: 531

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Finished well over 6f here on debut, found 5f too sharp at Bellewstown; won valuable 7f auction race at Naas nine days ago; faces much tougher opposition now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

20th Oct 2025

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

14:19 Gowran Park

Fiona Maccoul

9st 11lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Won the valuable EBF Auction Series Final over this trip last year; has been regressive this year and blinkers replace cheekpieces.

22/1

14th

8

(9)

22nd Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

14:02 Listowel

Fiona Maccoul

9st 9lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Won the valuable EBF Auction Series Final over 7f at Naas last year; this season's handicap form has been disappointing in comparison.

12/1

3

(4)

26th Aug 2025

Yielding

0m 7f 195y

17:55 Bellewstown

Fiona Maccoul

9st 7lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Won the valuable EBF Auction Series Final over 7f at Naas last year; bit underwhelming in handicaps this season but first of two recent runs at Galway not without promise; cheekpieces now tried and need to bring improvement (yard in fine form).

12/1

33/1

Form: 80344

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Creditable fourth behind Fiona Maccoul in a valuable Naas event; Copacabana Sands third in that event; a lot more needed now; hooded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

30th Sep 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 3y

15:50 Bellewstown

Famed Again

9st 4lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Some fine runs in defeat as a 2yo but has been regressive in the last year and is down to this trip for the first time; opposed.

8/1

Non-runners

Tamam Desert

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €123.60
Straight Forecast €96.55
Trifecta €395.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Giselle

The Irish Sun:

Cercene

POSTDATA:

Mint Candy

TOPSPEED:

And So To Bed

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Giselle