The GAIN Railway Stakes
Group 2, Curragh 16:35 €115,000 added, 2yo only, 6f
Saturday 30th June 2018

1 Van Beethoven 9/10F
2 Marie's Diamond 7/1
3 Certain Lad 6/1
7 ran NR: Land Force Distances: ½l, 1¼l, ¾l
Time: 1m 12.45s (slow by 1.05s)

Van Beethoven
© Caroline Norris

Aidan O’Brien recorded his 13th victory in the GAIN Railway Stakes as Van Beethoven produced a hard-fought success in the Group Two contest over six furlongs at the Curragh.

The Scat Daddy colt was stepping back up to six furlongs after staying on well late in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, and tracked the early pace set by stable-companion North Wind.

Moore sent the favourite to the front around the furlong pole, and he kept on well to hold off Marie’s Diamond by half a length.

Certain Lad was a further length and a quarter away in third.

O’Brien said, “In an ideal world he might have preferred a stronger pace. Ryan said he was a little bit keen but he galloped home. A stronger pace would have suited him better.

“He may come back here for the Phoenix and Sergei Prokofiev is there as well. Land Force may go to the July meeting.”

The current incumbent at Ballydoyle is now just one behind his predecessor, Vincent O’Brien, who saddled 14 winners of the Railway Stakes.

GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2)
€115,000 added, 2yo only, 6f
7 ran
Going: Good to Firm (Watered)

Pos	Dr	D	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st	(4)		Van Beethoven (CAN) 9/10f	R L Moore 9-3	A P O'Brien	2
2nd	(3)	½	Marie's Diamond (IRE) 7/1	S De Sousa 9-3	M Johnston	2
3rd	(6)	1¼	Certain Lad 6/1	R P Whelan 9-3	M R Channon	2
4th	(1)	¾	Highland Fortune (USA) 8/1	C D Hayes 9-3	J A Stack	2
5th	(8)	1	North Wind (IRE) 20/1	J A Heffernan 9-3	A P O'Brien	2
6th	(5)	1¼	Invincible Karma (IRE) 5/1	C O'Donoghue 9-3	Mrs J Harrington	2
7th	(7)	1¾	Invasion Day (IRE) 16/1	C T Keane 9-3	G M Lyons	2
NR	(2)		Land Force (IRE)	D O'Brien 9-3	A P O'Brien	2