Needle Match
Needle Match finished off his race well to take second place behind Isaac Newton in the Group 3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday. Settled in fourth place early on by Tom Marquand, just one place behind the winner, he came under a ride on the run into the home straight. It took him a little while to pick up but, once he did, he finished off his race strongly, closing on the winner all the way to the line and clocking the fastest final-furlong time in the race.
Winner of a Newbury maiden over six and a half furlongs on soft ground on his only run at two, this was Needle Match's first run since he finished down the field in the 2000 Guineas in early May. It was only his fourth run, so his scope for progression is obvious. William Haggas' horse holds entries in the Group 2 Solonoway Stakes and in the Group 1 QE2, which is obviously a measure of the regard in which connections hold him. From the family of Uncle Mo, he shaped here as if he would appreciate a step up to nine or 10 furlongs, but he will be of interest wherever he goes next.
Leopardstown, 6th August 2026
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