Irish summer Flat programme: Teofilo might be dominating the headlines on the run-up to Saturday's 2,000 Guineas but last year's Guineas winner George Washington continues to progress towards his own Royal Ascot return next month after a dramatic withdrawal from stud in the spring.
The Group One Queen Anne Stakes is his planned comeback date and Aidan O'Brien confessed yesterday he is likely to enjoy George Washington's four-year-old career rather more than his classic campaign.
"Last year it was important to show his real potential and it was important to expose how good he was. I think we will all enjoy it a little more this time," he said. "We have always thought ability-wise he is unbelievable. He has done three pieces of work and all the ability still seems to be there. His mind has settled down as well and all being well Ascot is the plan," O'Brien added. George Washington was taken out of stud service in March after putting only six mares in foal because of fertility problems.
The Tattersalls Gold Cup on Irish Guineas weekend will be the next stop for Sunday's Prix Ganay winner Dylan Thomas who is also part of a strong older team of horses at Ballydoyle this year. "Christophe Soumillon was very impressed with Dylan Thomas in the Ganay and he will be at his best when there is a strong pace. He loves fast ground and there are plenty of races for him. We will look at the Tattersalls next," O'Brien said.
The Tattersalls is also the aim for last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Nightime as Dermot Weld continues her comeback from an injury that curtailed her subsequent three-year-old career. Speaking at yesterday's HRI summer racing season launch, Weld said: "She pulled muscles quite badly last year so we decided to take our time. We will possibly start her off in the Tattersalls. She likes an ease in the ground." Weld pointed to his two-year-old string as being the strongpoint of his team for 2007.
"Our three-year-olds lack a little quality although there are nice types like the Sadler's Wells colt Westlake and Thiella who should do well later in the year," he said. "But I have some very nice two-year-olds for the second half of the year. They are the best bred I've ever had and I'm very hopeful there will be a serious horse among them."
HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said yesterday the design team looking at plans for the overhaul of Leopardstown have almost finished but Dublin's only track is not likely to close in the immediate future.
"The design team has completed work on the overall redevelopment of the grandstands and ancillary areas and the building works will be scheduled to dovetail with the Curragh redevelopment, ensuring both tracks are not under construction at the same time," Kavanagh said.
Work on the €100 million facelift to the Curragh is due to be substantially completed next year.
