Rebel Moon stays unbeaten with Group honours at Naas
Debut form of winner received a major boost at Royal Ascot.
Fresh from a big week at Royal Ascot, Joseph O’Brien was in Group-winning form closer to home on Wednesday, as Rebel Moon took the Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Jannah Rose Stakes at Naas.
A daughter of Lope De Vega and owned by the sponsors, her promising debut victory at Gowran in April saw stablemate Johanna Walsh in third – form well advertised by the latter going on to be second in the Ribblesdale at the Royal meeting.
Sent off at 11-4 for this Group Three affair in which Aidan O’Brien’s Oaks fifth Cameo was the 5-4 favourite, Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount overhauled the Noel Meade-trained Caught U Sleeping with a neck to spare at the line.
“We’re delighted with her,” said O’Brien.
“She did well to win on debut and the form has obviously worked out well. We just had a little hold up with her after that race so we missed a little bit of time.
“This was an obvious target for her, given the ownership.
“It was a lovely ride from Dylan. She looked green still in the race and I think there is a lot to come from her, hopefully.
“The second has good form and she probably got first run on us, and she’s obviously race-fit while we missed time.
“It’s tough to run a horse down here when they get away from you like that and the fractions were steady enough through the race.
“I think she’s won today from having a bit of class. I think, hopefully, that we are still scratching the surface.
“She has some nice options in France as well as in Ireland.”