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

2

(9)

22nd Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

13:30 Curragh

Celtic Motif

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

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.

6/1

3rd

9

(12)

28th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:45 Curragh

Celtic Motif

9st 0lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

towards rear, headway but still plenty to do over 1f out, ran on well and went third inside final 110yds, no match for first two

10/1

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

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

7

(5)

31st Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 110y

16:00 Tipperary

Copacabana Sands

9st 5lb

J: Ben Coen

T: M D O’Callaghan

Showed ability for Diego Dias last season; promising second in 7f Curragh maiden on stable/seasonal debut; encouraging Group 3 fifth next time after meeting trouble in running; won 7f Naas Listed race in May; confirmed progression when asserting strongly for 7f Leopardstown Group 3 win in June; can continue on the upgrade.

11/8

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

7th

6

(5)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 94y

17:50 Roscommon

Famed Again

9st 11lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Showed ability when fourth of 16 in valuable sales race at Naas as a juvenile; failed to build on that last season; makes handicap debut from a mark 9lb below his initial rating; might be premature to write off.

14/1

6

(14)

11th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:00 Naas

Famed Again

9st 3lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Showed ability when fourth of 16 in valuable sales race over C&D a year ago; fair fifth in a Limerick maiden on seasonal debut; tame effort at Fairyhouse last month; plenty to find with the placed fillies, Treasure Rose and Dolly Hello.

50/1

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