July 19 / 15.05 Curragh

15.05

Good

Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £58512.4
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • 8 runners
RTE2
View Course
Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: /02-38 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Smart form in 2022 for Paddy Twomey including a second in the Group 1 Flying Five at this venue on soft ground; sparingly raced since; showed he retained ability when third in a 5f listed race at Cork in June (gd-yld) but held by Powerful Nation on that form; 6f seemed to stretch him here latest; this trip more suitable but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(6)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 5f 0y

16:05 Cork

Erosandpsyche

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Daniel James Murphy

Four wins include valuable C&D handicap and only just failed to get up in similar contest last month, finishing strongly; didn't land a blow but by no means disgraced eighth of 21 in very valuable York handicap latest; new headgear combination tried.

15/2

8th

11

(8)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Erosandpsyche

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Daniel James Murphy

Irish raider; he has run some solid races in defeat this summer but this looks a tough race in which to try to end a four-year drought.

33/1

5th

3

(3)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

14:50 Curragh

Erosandpsyche

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Daniel James Murphy

Four-time winner was only beaten a short head by Ipanema Queen at Cork last time (5f, good to firm); nudged up 1lb but more concerning is that his runs at this track this term have been moderate; capable if things fall right though.

13/2

Form: 1-1601 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
British raider is three-time Group 3 winner at 5f, including when staying on best off a strong pace to land the Coral Charge at Sandown (gd-fm) two weeks ago, beating She's Quality by 0.5l (conceding 6lb); clearly in fine fettle and likely to get a strong pace to aim at here; leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Rumstar

10st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Has four Group 3 wins (on good and good to firm) under his belt; outward appearances suggest this level is beyond him but if the door had opened in time for him in this last year he might have been placed instead of finishing only fifth; frame chance.

16/1

2nd

7

(3)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Rumstar

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Reappeared with good second to Night Raider in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) and bounced back from below-par run at Royal Ascot to win at Sandown (5f, good) four weeks ago, taking that Group 3 for the second year in a row; has won here and is firmly in calculations.

9/2

1st

3

(9)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Rumstar

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Creditable second on reappearance when bidding for a second win in the Palace House at Newmarket; hindered by poor draw at Royal Ascot since; landed this contest (good to firm) 12 months ago, despite carrying 3lb extra, and has no penalty this time; major contender.

11/4

Form: -60133 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner including a Group 3 at Dundalk but that was in 2021; raced exclusively in handicaps this season and won off 94 at Navan (5f, good) in May; fine third over C&D in the Rockingham on penultimate off 99; not as good at Dundalk last week and this looks a tough ask on return to pattern company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(9)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

14:50 Curragh

The Highway Rat

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: A Oliver

Best known for AW exploits, but is effective on turf; not a bad effort on seasonal return in the Habitat Handicap when 2.25l behind the winner Headmaster (6f, good); good second at Navan next time, but his latest two runs have been below-par, including when well beaten over 6.5f here last time; blinkers return and replace the visor worn that day.

16/1

15th

4

(12)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 63y

14:50 Curragh

The Highway Rat

9st 11lb

J: Sam Coen

T: A Oliver

Best known for AW exploits, also effective on turf; second to Bodhi Bear in a 5f handicap at Navan; visor now replaces blinkers following a below-par Dundalk run last Sunday.

12/1

7/4

Form: 506-11 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
British raider has won both starts at 5f this season, a Group 3 at Longchamp (gd-sft) and the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock (Rumstar 4.5l behind in sixth); will be suited by a strongly run race and likely to get that here; connections have secured the services of Ryan Moore; obvious chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

18

(2)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Mgheera

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Had a brainstorm before this race last year when refusing to go in the stalls but she'd impressed the time before when winning a Group 2 at Haydock (5f, good); some respectable efforts in Group races over the last 12 months haven't suggested she'll be a serious threat this time.

40/1

5th

12

(11)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Mgheera

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Made it 2-2 for the yard (good/good to soft) when winning this last year and some good runs in defeat subsequently, including in Group 1s; could improve for her recent reappearance sixth at Longchamp; might be thereabouts.

8/1

6th

10

(14)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Mgheera

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Ed Walker

Beat today's rival She's Quality to win 5f Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock in May; did not compete at Royal Ascot after spreading a plate; outpointed by Arizona Blaze in a C&D Group 2 here in July; was a bit slow out of the stalls, and it was the same story in the Nunthorpe, could feature if avoiding a recurrence.

10/1

Form: -13162 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Front running 3yo is a two-time Group 3 winner at 5.5f-6f; narrowly denied in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last November on his last start over 5f (firm); touched off in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month (6f, gd-fm); right in the mix on official ratings and a bold bid looks likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(4)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Arizona Blaze

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

Very experienced for his age; winner of six of his 16 starts and placed eight times; strong form in winning with something to spare from Mgheera in a C&D Group 2 in July; faded in the final quarter-mile of the Nunthorpe; could bounce back and helps to give the stable a strong hand, with Bucanero Fuerte also in the mix.

6/1

11th

9

(9)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Arizona Blaze

9st 13lb

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

Often leads; has had plenty of racing for his tender years but he's tough and reliable and his first 5f run of the year saw him achieve strong form in winning with something to spare from Mgheera in a Group 2 at the Curragh (good; acts well on firm) in July; still has potential over 5f.

11/2

5

(3)

19th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Arizona Blaze

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

Front running 3yo is a two-time Group 3 winner at 5.5f-6f; narrowly denied in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last November on his last start over 5f (firm); touched off in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month (6f, gd-fm); right in the mix on official ratings and a bold bid looks likely.

100/30

Form: 132-21 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Upwardly mobile 3yo sprinter has yet to finish out of the first two in five turf starts; gained first stakes' win when taking a 5f listed heat at Cork (gd-yld) last month (Songhai and Erosandpsyche behind); previously chased home Bucanero Fuerte in a listed heat at Naas (5f, good); a bit to find on paper but he's improving and there could be more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Powerful Nation

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Looked set for a big season after his Listed win at Cork but it hasn't materialised; upset in stalls when soundly beaten again upped to 6f at Naas latest; however, he has C&D form figures of 132, including a head second in this last year, so the return to this venue offers hope of a revival.

12/1

2

(8)

11th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 205y

15:50 Naas

Powerful Nation

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Smart 2yo who nearly won a Group 3 over 5f and a Listed winner this season; dropped his guard of late, though did contest the Group 1 Flying Five last time; this is a belated first try at 6f but it might suit.

6/1

Form: 32-583

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
3yo filly was placed in Group 3s at Ayr (6f, gd-fm) and Newmarket (5f, gd-sft) last season; was 5.5l behind Mgheera on her penultimate start in a Group 2 at Haydock (5f, good); back to form with a 1.25l third in a listed heat at Ayr latest (5f, good); rating of 95 leaves her with a lot to find in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(10)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Grande Marques

9st 11lb

J: Shane Foley

T: J A Stack

Had a couple of these behind when making all in the Listed Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary in August (5f, yielding); soundly beaten upped to Group 1 level in the Flying Five latest; unraced on AW and will need a career-best here.

12/1

12th

14

(9)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Grande Marques

9st 2lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: J A Stack

Placed in Group 3s at Ayr and Newmarket last season; Listed-placed in third behind Saratoga Special at Ayr in June; made all to beat Erosandpsyche in a 5f Listed race at Tipperary two weeks ago.

33/1

13

(14)

31st Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

16:30 Tipperary

Grande Marques

9st 0lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: J A Stack

Placed in Group 3s at Ayr and Newmarket last season; Listed-placed at Ayr in June, overall form this term not strong enough to inspire confidence.

20/1

25/1

Form: 12326

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
6f Dundalk maiden winner shaped nicely in two listed races at Cork in May-June and was only 1.25l behind Powerful Nation in the latter race over 5f (gd-yld); weakened over 6f in a listed here latest so the drop back to 5f looks the right move; may outrun likely odds but hard to see her winning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

(11)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Songhai

9st 11lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Yet to win this year but has been running very well in defeat; chased home Valiant Force over C&D latest (Black Forza and The Highway Rat behind); fine third in the 5f Group 2 Sapphire Stakes earlier this season; won her maiden here (6f) and she should be in the mix again.

10/1

6

(6)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

17:35 Dundalk (AW)

Songhai

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Yet to add to her 6f debut win at this venue; running well in defeat in stakes company this season and her rating of 98 might underestimate her ability; the return to this venue is a plus and she should go well.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €8.80
Straight Forecast €8.18
Tricast €103.82
Trifecta €46.00

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Arizona Blaze

SPOTLIGHT:

Powerful Nation

The Irish Sun:

Mgheera

TOPSPEED:

Rumstar

POSTDATA:

Arizona Blaze