Flying Start to the 2026 Season
Hello to all our owners, supporters and friends of the yard,
The new season has burst into life for the yard and we are delighted with how the horses have performed over the opening weeks of the campaign. With 9 winners from our last 11 runners, the team has enjoyed a remarkable run of form and there is tremendous excitement for what lies ahead over the coming months.
Stakes Double at Leopardstown
A memorable Sunday provided one of the highlights of the season so far as the stable landed a superb stakes double at Leopardstown.
Catalina Delcarpio swoops late to win the Listed Amethyst Stakes
Catalina Delcarpio continued her progression in impressive fashion with a noteworthy performance to secure her first black-type success in the Listed Amethyst Stakes for owners Lordship Stud
She is a filly who has always shown plenty of natural speed, and dropping her back to a mile proved the right move. However, she should have no issue stepping back up to ten furlongs later in the season. Looking ahead, a race like the Pretty Polly Stakes could suit her very well.
City Of Memphis excites in the Cornelscourt Stakes
City Of Memphis maintained her unbeaten start to the season with an impressive Group 3 victory at Leopardstown, travelling strongly throughout before showing her class in the closing stages under Billy Lee to run out a decisive winner.
She is a filly we have always held in high regard and, having been lightly raced so far, we are hopeful there is plenty more to come from her this season. The Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes is likely to be her next target and we expect her to continue her progression as the year goes on.
Velozee Looks Like an Ascot Filly for Gary Matthews and Steve Weston
The emergence of Sioux Nation filly Velozee has been a real highlight of the early season, and she looks set to provide plenty more thrills for the newly formed partnership of Gary Matthews and Steve Weston.
A winner on debut at Cork, she took a significant step forward when producing a hugely impressive performance to land the First Flier Stakes at the Curragh. Carrying the Steve Weston silks, she travelled powerfully throughout before putting the race to bed with ease.
Stepping up to six furlongs won’t be an issue and a trip to Naas next weekend could be next on the agenda before attention turns towards Royal Ascot.
Regular readers of the newsletter may recognise Velozee, who was advertised for sale in our closing publication of the 2025 season. She remained listed on the site until February, when Gary Matthews spotted her and, in his own words, “fell in love”.
A reminder that our horses for sale section is always worth keeping an eye on - you never know what you might find!
Black Caviar Gold’s Classic Ambitions
There was also enormous encouragement from the performance of Black Caviar Gold, who returned to something close to her best when finishing a narrow second in the Athasi Stakes at the Curragh on the same card.
Similar to her two-year-old campaign, she looks like a filly who will improve with each run this season, and last week shaped like a filly ready to make her mark in Pattern company once again. The Irish 1,000 Guineas now looks a likely next target and we are excited to see her step onto the Classic stage.
A Fruitful Week for Owner Robert Moran
It was a highly productive week for owner Robert Moran, who enjoyed an excellent return of three winners from as many runners in a week.
The sequence began with Lady Mairen, who landed the feature race at Sligo in determined fashion. A talented two-year-old, she looks to be firmly back on track following a lengthy absence and there should be plenty more to come from her in 2026.
The momentum continued when Dark Lucinda made a highly promising debut at Gowran Park, winning impressively in the familiar yellow silks. The Dark Angel filly, owned in partnership with breeders Ballylinch Stud, looks an exciting prospect and could well return to Gowran in the coming weeks for the €200,000 feature.
The sequence was then completed on Friday afternoon at Ballinrobe by Trojan Fighter, who won the same maiden contest which produced Royal Ascot winner Carmers for the stable last season. Stepping up in trip, the son of Ulysses relished the test and looks capable of providing his owner with plenty more enjoyment as the season progresses.
Moody in Good Form
Purchased for €125,000 at Arqana in December, Moody has settled into life in Ireland very well, and has wasted no time making her mark!
She made a winning debut in the Listed Noblesse Stakes at Cork, staying on strongly under Colin Keane to score in decisive fashion.
She followed that up with another impressive Listed victory in the Vintage Tipple Stakes at Gowran Park last week.
She appears versatile regarding trip and should have plenty of options moving forward for owner Mel Sutcliffe, a new owner to the yard with a 100% strike rate so far!
Other Highlights
County Carlow off the mark
The Saxon Warrior colt took another step forward to break his maiden at Sligo providing the yard with a first winner for owners Tony Bloom & Ian Mc Aleavy.
First Hurdle Winner
Arouet got off the mark over hurdles at Cork on Sunday, a first winner for the yard over jumps.
Breeze Up Purchases
We were delighted to strengthen our two-year-old team with a number of purchases at the recent breeze-up sales, adding further depth and quality for the season ahead.
We will remain active in the market as the year progresses, so if you are interested in getting involved in the yard, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Until next time,
Paddy
— Paddy Twomey
Phone: +353 (0) 87 238 8101
Email: infoathasselhousestud@gmail.com
Website: Paddy Twomey Racing