The autumn curtain lifted in style at Cork Racecourse on Tuesday, 30th September as a packed card of eight thrilling contests brought together emerging talent, seasoned professionals, and a string of stirring finishes that had the Mallow crowd roaring until the last. From precocious maidens to the established performers in the Navigation Stakes, the day showcased everything vibrant about Irish flat racing in its late-season rhythm.
The Opening Burst: 13:45 The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden
The afternoon began with a contest for the juveniles where TORNADO KISS, trained with patience and purpose lived up to her name by sweeping home under A.J. Slattery. She travelled strongly and pulled out just enough in the closing strides to repel BAD BOY RIZZ by half a length. ENNOBLE filled the frame in third while REALISTIC DREAM ran a promising fourth in a race clocked at 1:01.24. With only seven lining up TORNADO KISS stamped herself as one to follow for her owner Mrs. C. Cashman.
14:15: The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap
The competitive nursery followed and it was NAKAMURA who stole the show for the Brunabonne Syndicate. Guided smartly by B.M. Coen, the chestnut showed both resilience and pace in the closing stages, pulling away to win by two and a quarter lengths from CISTERNA. RAPHELLO always handy, held on for third ahead of GLAMAZON. The twelve-runner affair was run in a sharp 1:14.00 and underlined NAKAMURA’s progression through the ranks.
14:45: The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap
The third race delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the day. WINTERS BREATH wearing the silks of Al Shira’aa Racing and piloted by D. Browne McMonagle, lunged late to grab victory by a short head from LIKEDBYMIKE. AMICITIA stayed on gamely in third, only half a length adrift while STAYSOUND SUSIE was denied by a head in fourth. The twelve-runner handicap completed in 1:13.48 highlighted WINTERS BREATH’s turn of foot and tenacity.
15:15: The Mallow Handicap
Handicap action remained at the heart of the card and it was UKIYO who rose to the occasion in the fourth. With R. Whearty aboard for the First Law Syndicate the bay showed authority to beat SOVEREIGN BANTER by one and a quarter lengths. REPONSE FINALE who stayed on strongly was a short head away in third and AMERICAN IN PARIS battled into fourth. The clock stopped at 1:14.60 sealing UKIYO’s deserved day in the spotlight.
15:45: The Irish EBF Fillies Maiden (Smullen Series)
A bustling field of sixteen lined up in honour of the Smullen Series and it was BLOOM who blossomed at the right time. Under J. Cleary the filly carried the famed ownership of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith to victory. IFWEONLYHAVELOVE looked the likely winner until the last 100 yards but BLOOM found more edging past by half a length. RIVER ARA was nearly three lengths away in third and JOJO’S LEGACY clung to fourth. The winning time was a steady 1:41.69 in a race alive with promise.
16:15: The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Navigation Stakes
The feature race of the day brought out high-class runners and an air of gravitas. PURVIEW carrying the Juddmonte colours confirmed his credentials in the Listed Navigation Stakes with a polished victory under the ever-reliable C.T. Keane. Always tracking the leaders he quickened decisively to put daylight between himself and CADOGAN who finished second a length and a quarter behind. IOWA CITY and TANGAPOUR filled the minor spots. With the clock reading 2:13.56, PURVIEW’s performance set him apart as a name to watch for bigger prizes.
16:45: The Port Of Cork Handicap
The seventh race turned into a test of grit and FALLS OF ACHARN under S. Foley proved strongest at the line. Representing Miss Kate Harrington the gelding showed determination to beat MATHAN by one and three-quarter lengths. SUN SOLDIER came with a late rally for third while JA’MARR was only a short head away in fourth. Fourteen contested the handicap which was run in 1:41.65.
17:20: The Handicap
The day closed with another stirring finish as LA TULIPE NOIRE partnered by apprentice Jessica O’Gorman for Aengus King, sprang a memorable victory. She clung on by half a length from MICASSO with VIERSON finishing three-quarters of a length further back in third. PURRING ALONG filled fourth after staying on late. The winning time was 1:42.95 capping the afternoon with a lively flourish from the thirteen-runner field.
TORNADO KISS, NAKAMURA, WINTERS BREATH, UKIYO, BLOOM, PURVIEW, FALLS OF ACHARN and LA TULIPE NOIRE turned Cork’s late-September race day into a showcase of rising talent and hardened performers. Each race brought its own narrative, but together they crafted a story of equine bravery and jockey excellence that will linger in memory long after the autumn leaves fall over Mallow.
Cork’s September 30th meeting proved a fitting testament to the depth of Irish flat racing, with maiden promise, handicap battles and prestige all rolled into an afternoon that thrilled racegoers. From TORNADO KISS’s sparkling opener to LA TULIPE NOIRE’s brave finale, the card held variety, drama, and a glimpse into the future stars of the sport.
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