Category: News

Irish Champions Festival ended with a remarkable family sweep at the Curragh as trainers Aidan, Donnacha and Joseph O’Brien won all four Group 1 races on the Sunday card.

Sun Goddess opened the sequence in the Moyglare Stud Stakes for Aidan O’Brien. Comanche Brave then landed the Flying Five Stakes for Donnacha O’Brien, before Folsom Blues won the National Stakes for Joseph O’Brien. Scandinavia completed the sweep for Aidan O’Brien in the Irish St Leger.

Sun Goddess dominates the Moyglare Stud Stakes

Sun Goddess produced the most decisive performance of the three races covered here. Ryan Moore settled the favorite behind the early pace before moving into contention and taking control in the final stages.

She beat Green Empress by six and one half lengths, with Dancing Destiny third. The seven furlong Group 1 was run on yielding ground, with good patches, and carried a winner’s share of €240,000.

The scale of the victory immediately made Sun Goddess one of the notable juvenile fillies to emerge from the festival.

Comanche Brave takes the Flying Five

Comanche Brave gave Donnacha O’Brien a major sprint success in the Flying Five Stakes. Billy Loughnane guided the four year old through traffic before the pair found room inside the final furlong.

Comanche Brave finished strongly to beat American Affair by one and one quarter lengths. Rumstar was another half length away in third.

The five furlong Group 1 attracted 17 runners, making it one of the deepest races on the card and an important result in the European sprint division.

Folsom Blues makes a statement in the National Stakes

Joseph O’Brien completed his contribution to the family sweep when Folsom Blues won the National Stakes in emphatic fashion.

Jockey J M Sheridan brought Folsom Blues from behind the leaders before taking over inside the final furlong. The colt pulled six lengths clear of stablemate Monogram, while Florida Bay finished third.

The result gave Joseph O’Brien the first two finishers in one of Ireland’s leading juvenile races and added another important reference point for the two year old division.

A rare family achievement at the Curragh

The three results, combined with Scandinavia’s Irish St Leger victory, meant that every Group 1 race on the Sunday card went to a member of the O’Brien family. Aidan trained two winners, while Donnacha and Joseph trained one each.

That sweep gave the second day of Irish Champions Festival a clear defining story while also producing significant new form in the juvenile, sprint and staying divisions.

Read the separate Irish St Leger recap for full coverage of Scandinavia’s victory. For the complete weekend structure and race background, visit the OTB Bet Irish Champions Festival guide.

Sources

Race results were verified through Racing TV for the Moyglare Stud Stakes, Racing TV for the Flying Five Stakes and Racing TV for the National Stakes. The wider family sweep was also confirmed in same day reporting from the Irish Examiner.

Featured image: Finish at the National Stakes at the Curragh, photographed by Florian Christoph. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.

Scandinavia confirmed his position at the top of the staying division with victory in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh on September 13.

The four year old, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, started as the clear favorite and delivered again over one mile and six furlongs. He beat stablemate Queenstown by two lengths, with Jan Brueghel another three quarters of a length back in third.

Scandinavia keeps winning

The Irish St Leger added another major prize to a season that has established Scandinavia as one of the standout stayers in Europe. His Curragh success followed victories in the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup, giving him a rare sequence across several of the most important staying races on the calendar.

Sunday’s result was not simply another win for a short priced favorite. The field included experienced stayers such as Queenstown, Jan Brueghel and Trustyourinstinct, yet Scandinavia again found enough when the race was decided.

Queenstown completed a one two finish for Aidan O’Brien, while Jan Brueghel gave the stable a sweep of the first three places.

Another major result for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien

Moore and O’Brien entered Irish Champions Festival weekend with several major opportunities, and Scandinavia delivered one of the most important results on the Sunday card. The race carried a winner’s share of €289,999 and attracted seven runners.

The victory also reinforced the value of the Curragh as a central stop for elite stayers. The Irish St Leger remains open to older horses, which allows established runners to return and build a longer record in the division.

What the result means

Scandinavia now leaves the Irish St Leger with another Group 1 success and an even stronger claim as the leading stayer of the season. His next target will depend on connections, so OTB Bet will wait for an official announcement before projecting his next start.

For background on the race, distance, history and recent winners, visit the OTB Bet Irish St Leger guide. You can also review the wider weekend in the Irish Champions Festival guide.

Sources

Result details were verified through Racing TV and same day reporting from RTÉ Sport.

Featured image: The Curragh Racecourse, photographed by Harold Strong. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.0.

Sheza Alibi confirmed her place among Australia’s leading racehorses on September 12 with a dominant victory in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

Ridden by Luke Nolen for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the mare travelled strongly before accelerating clear in the straight. She won by two and three quarter lengths from Autumn Boy, with Another Wil third.

History at Flemington

Sheza Alibi became the first female horse to win the Makybe Diva Stakes since the race was elevated to Group 1 status in 2013. The performance was especially notable because the race had repeatedly proved difficult for mares in recent seasons.

OTB Bet previewed the challenge in the Makybe Diva Stakes preview, with three time defending winner Mr Brightside among the established names in the field. Sheza Alibi instead produced the defining performance of the race.

A major spring statement

The Makybe Diva Stakes is one of the important early Group 1 races of the Australian spring. Sheza Alibi entered with elite mile form and left Flemington with another major victory, strengthening her position among the leading horses for the major races ahead.

The official Victoria Racing Club report described the win as a decisive performance in front of more than 13,000 racegoers. Autumn Boy finished strongly for second, while Another Wil held third.

Follow OTB Bet’s Major Races guide for expanding coverage of the biggest racing events around the world.

Image credit: Photo by Jeff Griffith on Unsplash.

Splendora delivered another commanding performance on September 12, winning the Grade 2 Locust Grove Stakes at Churchill Downs by six lengths.

The five year old mare went straight to the lead and controlled the race throughout. Immersive stayed close early, but Splendora opened a clear advantage after the final turn and completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.30. Yes It Tiz finished second, with Immersive third.

Another major win for Splendora

The victory continued a remarkable stretch for Splendora, who has now won eight of her last nine starts. Her recent campaign also includes victories in the Molly Pitcher Stakes, Shawnee Stakes and Beholder Mile Stakes.

OTB Bet highlighted the matchup with Immersive in the Locust Grove Stakes preview. The expected clash developed early, but Splendora ultimately separated herself from the field in decisive fashion.

Championship form at Churchill Downs

Splendora entered the Locust Grove as an established Grade 1 winner and reinforced that status with one of the strongest performances on the Churchill Downs card.

The result also gives OTB Bet readers another useful form reference as the fall championship season develops. Splendora has shown that she can win around one turn and two turns, and her current run of form places her among the most accomplished older mares in training.

See more major race coverage in the OTB Bet Major Races guide.

Image credit: Photo by Philippe Oursel on Unsplash.

Kerry’s Kiss won the Grade 3 Princess Rooney Stakes at Gulfstream Park on September 12 and secured an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

The four year old filly went to the front early and remained there through seven furlongs. Simply Joking finished second and Just a Philly finished third. Kerry’s Kiss completed the race in 1:25.33 on a sloppy surface.

A fourth straight victory

The result extended the winning streak for Kerry’s Kiss to four races and kept her unbeaten since joining trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The Princess Rooney was also her first graded stakes victory.

OTB Bet covered the field in the Princess Rooney Stakes preview. Kerry’s Kiss entered with strong local form and converted that form into a championship qualifying performance.

Breeders’ Cup implications

The Princess Rooney is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series for the Filly and Mare Sprint. Kerry’s Kiss now owns a guaranteed place in the championship at Keeneland.

For more context on that race, visit the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint guide.

The Gulfstream result adds another established runner to the championship picture and gives Kerry’s Kiss a clear late season target after a strong summer campaign.

Image credit: Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash.

Gimme a Nother added another major turf victory to her season on September 12, winning the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine and securing an automatic place in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

The six year old mare entered the race in strong form for trainer Graham Motion after victories in the Eatontown Stakes and Beverly D. Stakes. She handled the step into another Grade 1 test with a patient trip before finding room in the stretch and finishing best in a competitive closing sequence.

See The Fire finished second, with Jancis third, as the international field produced one of the strongest races on Woodbine’s Turf Champions Day program.

A major Breeders’ Cup result

The E.P. Taylor Stakes was part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, so Gimme a Nother earned a guaranteed starting position in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland. The result gives the division another established Grade 1 contender as the championship approaches.

OTB Bet previewed the race earlier this week in the E.P. Taylor Stakes preview. The final outcome reinforced the international depth expected from the field, but Gimme a Nother proved strongest when the race was decided.

For a broader look at the championship target, visit the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf guide.

Momentum continues for Gimme a Nother

Gimme a Nother was unbeaten in seven starts in South Africa before moving to the United States. Her Woodbine victory continued an impressive recent run and added a Grade 1 success to a campaign already defined by consistency.

The next major question is how her form translates to Keeneland against the leading fillies and mares from the United States and abroad. What is already confirmed is that she now owns the automatic berth and arrives in the championship picture with significant momentum.

Image credit: Photo by Avi Theret on Unsplash.

Two unbeaten juveniles opened the new Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks points season with graded stakes victories at Churchill Downs on September 12. Salahudin won the Iroquois Stakes, while Manuka Honey captured the Pocahontas Stakes.

Salahudin overcame a poor start and a wide trip in the Grade 3 Iroquois. Jose Ortiz allowed the colt to settle near the back before advancing around the far turn. Salahudin finished strongly down the center of the track and defeated He Is No Lie by one half length in 1:36.54 for one mile.

The victory moved Salahudin to three wins from three starts and earned him 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. It also strengthens his case as an autumn juvenile to follow toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Manuka Honey keeps her unbeaten record

Manuka Honey also remained perfect, winning the Grade 3 Pocahontas by two lengths. Luis Saez kept the filly close to the pace before asking her to advance around the turn. She finished clearly in front, with Scarlett Begonia second and Miss Anna third.

The win gave Manuka Honey 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks and extended her record to three victories from three starts. Her next decisions will help shape the early picture for both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and the longer Kentucky Oaks trail.

The first points races delivered established favorites

OTB Bet previewed both races before the Churchill Downs card, with Salahudin and Manuka Honey entering as the leading unbeaten runners. Both delivered, but in different ways. Salahudin had to recover from adversity, while Manuka Honey produced another controlled late move.

Read the original Iroquois Stakes preview and Pocahontas Stakes preview for the pre race context.

Source: Thoroughbred Daily News race reports published September 12, 2026, with result information linked to Equibase.

Woodbine’s juvenile turf championships produced two clear Breeders’ Cup qualifiers on September 12. Al Hudaiba won the Grade 1 Summer Stakes, while Voyager captured the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes.

Al Hudaiba settled in sixth early in the one mile Summer before finding room in the stretch and taking command late. The Godolphin colt won by one and three quarter lengths in 1:35.66 over firm turf. Oscar finished second and Induction was third.

The victory earned Al Hudaiba an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland on October 30.

Voyager delivers in the Natalma

Voyager gave trainer Mark Casse another major Natalma success with a professional closing performance. Javier Castellano positioned the filly behind the leaders before moving her into contention on the turn. Voyager took over in the stretch and finished one and one quarter lengths ahead of De la Renta in 1:35.06. Embouteillage finished third.

The Natalma victory earned Voyager an automatic place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, also scheduled for October 30 at Keeneland.

Woodbine form now matters directly for Keeneland

OTB Bet previewed both races together because the Summer and Natalma share an important role in the autumn juvenile turf picture. The results now give that preview a confirmed next step. Al Hudaiba and Voyager leave Woodbine with Grade 1 wins and guaranteed championship opportunities.

Readers can revisit the Woodbine juvenile Grade 1 preview and follow the wider championship structure through the Breeders’ Cup 2026 guide.

Source: Woodbine Entertainment official result releases published September 12, 2026.

Notable Speech defended his Woodbine Mile crown on September 12, delivering another Grade 1 victory on the E P Taylor Turf Course and earning an automatic berth back to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

William Buick settled the Godolphin runner behind the early pace while Deterministic controlled the race from the front. Notable Speech found room in the stretch, accelerated past Deterministic inside the final furlong and finished the mile in 1:33.86. Deterministic held second, with Gas Me Up third.

The victory gives Notable Speech a direct path to Keeneland on October 31, where the Breeders’ Cup Mile will bring together many of the leading turf milers from North America and Europe.

Woodbine result confirms the defending champion

OTB Bet entered Turf Champions Day with Notable Speech and Deterministic as the central matchup in the Woodbine Mile preview. The race confirmed that Notable Speech remains a major player in the division. His ability to settle, wait for a lane and finish strongly proved decisive against a rival who had been able to establish the tempo.

The Woodbine Mile is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, so the result carries immediate championship implications. Notable Speech now has the opportunity to return to the Breeders’ Cup Mile as the defending winner of both races.

What comes next

The next major question is how the Woodbine form fits into the wider autumn turf picture. Keeneland will present a different tactical test, but Notable Speech has already shown that he can travel successfully and perform at the highest level in North America.

OTB Bet will continue tracking confirmed entries, major prep results and field changes through the Breeders’ Cup 2026 guide.

Source: Woodbine race reporting and BloodHorse reporting published September 12, 2026.