racing_news/

First Cornerstone Takes Futurity Stakes
26/08/12

First Cornerstone ran out an easy winner of the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday (August 26) and is now likely to be supplemented for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November.

First Cornerstone
© www.teamvalor.com

The race lost some sparkle when likely favourite Nevis was withdrawn earlier in the day, but Aidan O'Brien still had 7-4 joint-favourite Flying The Flag and Kingston Jamaica in the field. The latter set the pace, opening up a couple of lengths lead over Flying The Flag, with First Cornerstone settled in behind.

Kingston Jamaica was still in front two furlongs out but Flying The Flag was poised to challenge, while Chris Hayes was getting to work on First Cornerstone. That pair went on with a furlong to run but First Cornerstone, who was bought by Team Valor on Wednesday, proved the better of the two.

The Andy Oliver-trained colt was purchased last week by American syndicate Team Valor and served an immediate dividend with Group Two success, beating Aidan O'Brien's Flying The Flag by a length and a half.

The Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh or the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) at Longchamp could be the next step before Santa Anita.

Team Valor president Barry Irwin was on hand to lead the Hurricane Run youngster back to the winner's enclosure.

Team Valor tweeted: "Barry Irwin said TVI will probably run First Cornerstone once more and pay the $100,000 to nominate him for the BC Juvenile Turf.

"Not clear yet whether the prep will be in the G1 National S. in Ireland, the G1 Grand Criterium on Arc day, or in the U.S."

Following the Futurity, MansionBet gave First Cornerstone a 20-1 quote for the 2000 Guineas.