17 July 2022
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, July 17, 2022, Chantilly Racecourse (Oise). – Winner of his first three races in Ireland, 4th in the Coventry Stakes (Gr2) at Royal Ascot and second in the Railway Stakes (Gr2), Ireland’s Blackbeard (No Nay Never) finally won his first big prize over Chantilly’s 6-furlong straight trip in the Darley Prix Robert Papin (Gr2). Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal, the dark bay took the lead but was headed about 3 furlongs out by the French favourite Belbek (Showcasing) but reacted well when asked for more and rallied to take off again one out to score by three lengths over stablemate The Antarctic (Dark Angel), who had been held at the rear early on.
Vicious Harry (Harry Angel) ran on well too and took third place to Belbek, three further lengths down the field.
Blackbeard was sold for £270,000 as a weanling at Tattersalls. He’s the first foal out of Muirin (Born to Sea), winner of her first race and a Moyglare Stud Stakes (Gr1) 4th immediately after. Bred by Sunderland, the filly was sold for €210,000 at 3 to Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît).