Art Power comes up with masterpiece to secure Greenlands glory at Curragh
- Planet Sport writer
- 27 May 2023
Art Power put on a clinic in Ireland to take the Greenlands Stakes.
Oisin Murphy rode his first ever winner at the Curragh as Art Power confirmed his love for Ireland when winning the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes in clear-cut fashion.
Trained by Tim Easterby, the grey was winning for the fourth time in as many attempts in Ireland.
Swiftly away from the stalls, the 2-1 joint-favourite looked in a comfortable rhythm throughout while his main market rival, Charlie Hills' Garrus, was almost detached at the back of the field under Ryan Moore.
When Garrus did begin to make a move from the rear, Art Power had plenty left and kicked on again over a furlong out, running out a four-and-three-quarter-length winner from Big Gossey, with Garrus third.
The winner, gelded in the winter, is now as low as 8-1 with Betfair for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"He was a top-class sprinter and he lost his form a little bit. Tim Easterby and King Power Racing have been patient with him and today he gave me a super feel," said Murphy.
"He loves Ireland and has never been beaten here, that's his fourth victory from four starts - what a fantastic horse.
"I hadn't ridden any winners here before today, so I can't say I was very confident through the race and I knew what I was doing. I pretended I did anyway and I had the right horse.
"This is a great feeling. I managed to win a Listed race on Buckaroo at Leopardstown last month and to be here on such a big day is massive."
Easterby, who was watching the race from his local track at York, said: "I'm delighted with him, he's such a lovely horse.
"We actually castrated him this February because he got a bit colty and we couldn't find a job for him to go to stud and the owners love having runners and just love their racing.
"We decided we had to cut him and it's great that he's come back. He ran a good race here (eighth in the Duke of York) but he just ran a bit free.
"He just loves the Curragh, I can't tell you why. He was born there, so maybe it's like going home. He's a gorgeous horse, he's only a little pony but he's an absolute superstar.
"He'll be in at Ascot but I don't know at the minute, he might go for the Flying Five and come back in trip.
On not going to Ireland, he added: "My car won't go past York! I'm just delighted."
