The Lincoln Handicap took centre stage in Britain over the final weekend in March as Doncaster played host to the opening day of the 2025 flat campaign. As thrilling as the conclusion to the historic handicap was, the highest-class equine entertainment took place on the other side of the Irish Sea.
Given the dominance of the Irish in the British Classic events in recent years, the Gladness Stakes, Ballysax Stakes, and 1000 and 2000 Guineas Trials are well worth taking in with an eye to unearthing the latest Classic heroes and heroines. So, who came home in front in 2025?
Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes – Camille Pissaro
As an eight-year-old, there will be questions to answer if Gladness Stakes winner Big Gossey claims one of the season’s three-year-old-only Classics. However, there may have been useful pointers amongst those in behind at the end of this 7f, Listed affair.
| Position | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey | Dist. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Big Gossey (7/1) | Charles O’Brien | Billy Lee | – |
| 2nd | Camille Pissarro (3/1) | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | + ½ Length |
| 3rd | Officer (13/2) | Aidan O’Brien | Wayne Lordan | + ½ Length |
Aidan O’Brien may have missed the target, but not by much, with Camille Pissarro and Officer finishing second and third. Of that duo, Camille Pissarro emerged as the big eye-catcher from the race.
Having endured a more troubled passage than many, the mount of Ryan Moore stormed home late to go down by just half a length at the line. That rated a useful trial for the 2000 Guineas, with the manner of his display suggesting the step up to 1m may suit the 2024 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner. As ever, O’Brien boasts an embarrassment of riches in the 1m division, but Camille Pissarro may be a horse to follow in the months to come.
Ballyinch Stud “Red Rocks” Stakes – Henre Matisse
Named in honour of the Brian Meehan-trained Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, this contest is Leopardstown’s big 2000 Guineas Trial. Since 2000, the race has fallen to 2000 Guineas winners Refuse To Bend and Poetic Flare. That duo were trained by Dermot Weld and Jim Bolger, respectively, but Aidan O’Brien is out on his own as the most successful trainer in the event.
| Position | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey | Dist. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Henri Matisse (6/4) | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | – |
| 2nd | Comanche Brave (22/1) | Donnacha O’Brien | Gavin Ryan | + ½ Length |
| 3rd | Arizona Blaze (7/4) | Adrian Murray | David Egan | + ½ Length |
Sitting on ten wins ahead of the 2025 edition, the master of Ballydoyle now has 11, thanks to the cosy success of Henri Matisse. Only fifth behind Camille Pissarro in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, this Wootton Bassett colt saved his best juvenile performance until last when getting up late to claim the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
That effort at Del Mar suggested big things may lie ahead, and this ½l victory represents a rock-solid start to his Classic campaign – particularly as he conceded 3lbs to a field of promising rivals. Expected to improve for the outing, Henri Matisse is now a general 16/1 shot for the 2000 Guineas and that could well be real value.
Ballyinch Stud “Priory Belle” Stakes – Swelter
Having ended her two-year-old season with an impressive 6½l success in the Killavullan Stakes, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Exactly was strongly fancied to hand her trainer a record-extending 13th win in the 1000 Guineas Trial on the same Leopardstown card. In the end, she was forced to play second fiddle to a filly who caught the eye on her only start at two and built on that promise here.
| Position | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey | Dist. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Swelter (6/1) | Dermot Weld | Chris Hayes | – |
| 2nd | Exactly (5/6) | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | + 1¼ Lengths |
| 3rd | Cercene (28/1) | Joseph Murphy | Gary Carroll | + ½ Length |
Going in the famous Juddmonte silks and trained by veteran handler Dermot Weld, Swelter went into many notebooks with her last-to-first effort at this track in July 2024. This victory wasn’t as dramatic, but the daughter of Kingman impressed with the turn of foot, which took her from midpack to the front in a matter of strides. Weld won this in 2022 with subsequent Irish 2000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs, and that event at the Curragh is next on the agenda for Swelter, with the filly not holding an entry in the English Classic.
P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes – Delacroix
With a roll of honour featuring the names of Galileo, High Chaparral, Yeats, Fame And Glory, and Harzand, the 1m2f Ballysax Stakes never fails to draw the eye of the racing world. In 2025, Aidan O’Brien appeared to hold all the aces, with three of the seven-runner field hailing from his Ballydoyle operation, including the red-hot favourite, Delacroix.
| Position | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey | Dist. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Delacroix (4/7) | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | – |
| 2nd | Lambourn (9/1) | Aidan O’Brien | Ronan Whelan | + 2¼ Lengths |
| 3rd | Tiberius Thunder (12/1) | Adrian Murray | David Egan | + 1¼ Lengths |
Last sighted going down by an agonising nose in the Futurity Trophy Stakes, the Dubawi colt was the choice of Ryan Moore and started as the 4/7f. Those who backed the market leader had few moments of concern. Pushed straight into the lead by Moore, Delacroix kicked clear at the furlong pole to score by a healthy 2½l. The good-looking chestnut holds entries in the English and Irish Derby and is now a general 16/1 chance for the Epsom Classic.
