Jan Brueghel

Jan Brueghel was impressive in winning the 10-furlong maiden that concluded proceedings at The Curragh on the first day of Irish Guineas weekend. Prominent from early, he moved up on the outside of the leader Ozark Daze at the two-furlong marker and he cleared away impressively to win by eight lengths in the end. It was a race in which the front two were dominant. Ozark Daze, strong in the market, brought a nice level of form into the race, an 87-rated performer from an in-form yard, and he finished nicely clear of the rest of the field. Also, the winning time was good, it was over a second faster than the time that the talented and progressive 103-rated Crystal Black clocked in winning the handicap run over the same course and distance earlier in the day, in which, admittedly, the early pace was not strong.

This is a race that was won in 2020 by Galileo Chrome, who went on to win the St Leger, and, a full-brother to Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Dawn Rising, it would not be surprising if that race featured in Jan Brueghel’s future. He is also a full-brother to Irish Derby winner Sovereign, and he could be a player in that race if he goes there in the meantime.

The Curragh, 25^th May 2024