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| Staff Writer |
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Amo Racing's high-class colts, King Of Steel and Bucanero Fuerte, are set to make a big impact at the Irish Champions Festival this weekend.
Kia Joorabchian's racing team's distinctive purple silks have been a common sight in major races across the calendar. This weekend, they will be prominently displayed at both Leopardstown and the Curragh, two of Ireland's premier racing venues.
The top favorite for Saturday's Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes in Dublin is King Of Steel, trained by Roger Varian. King Of Steel has already achieved great success at Royal Ascot as well as making the podium in both the Derby at Epsom and the King George.
“It’s a very exciting time of the year and to be going to the Irish Champions Festival with two live contenders in two Group Ones is what we’ve been striving for over the last 18 months,” said Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for the owners.
“It’s a culmination of real hard work from everyone involved, we’re excited and I know the boss is really looking forward to it.”
King Of Steel, the son of Wootton Bassett, will be racing at Leopardstown over 10 furlongs after having excelled at a mile and a half. Despite the distance change, connections remain optimistic that he will perform well in his upcoming race.
“We’ve been looking for an option to drop King Of Steel back to 10 furlongs all year, but so far it has just not presented itself and we’re very much looking forward to it,” continued Pennington.
“There’s no such thing as an easy Group One, but we’ve been waiting for this race to present itself.
“The horse is in great form, I saw him at the weekend and he did a routine piece of work and did it very nicely and let’s hope he gets there in one piece now.”
Bucanero Fuerte Sets Sights On Seven Furlongs For Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes
Bucanero Fuerte has earned a special place in Amo Racing's history by securing the owners their first Group One victory when he triumphed in the Phoenix Stakes last month. This young horse, also sired by Wootton Bassett, has already achieved two successive Group-level wins, including a third-place finish in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Adrian Murray's talented colt will now aim to continue his winning streak as he moves up to seven furlongs for the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
Pennington said, “He has always been a strong stayer at six furlongs and looks as if he’s been crying out for seven. His last furlong has been his best in his last in his last couple of races.
“At the beginning of the season he was a big frame of a horse with an engine, now he is really maturing into the horse we hoped he would.”
To clinch another significant race triumph, Bucanero Fuerte must outshine Aidan O'Brien's City Of Troy. Justify's impressive offspring has remained unbeaten in two races, dominating the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket. Those affiliated with Bucanero Fuerte acknowledge the daunting challenge ahead.
“Bucanero Fuerte does like to get his toe in, but we wouldn’t be overly concerned stepping up to seven – the one concern we do have is obviously City Of Troy,” added Pennington.
“You can’t be frightened of one horse, but what he did at Newmarket, to the eye, was visually impressive.
“We know he will take a lot of beating, but we think we’re going there with a live chance.”