James’s Delight Shines in Group 2 Greenlands Stakes Victory

We were absolutely thrilled to see James’s Delight put in a courageous performance at the Curragh on Saturday, landing the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes in admirable style. Ridden to victory with confidence by Oisin Murphy in a blanket finish, the four-year-old showed an impressive turn of foot to capture the six-furlong contest, providing this fantastic result for the whole team and a wonderful winning moment for his proud owners, Paul and Clare Rooney.

Quickly into stride he was always travelling with purpose, hot on the heels of the front marker, before he battled on gallantly when Oisin asked for more with two from home. Last season, he impressed with a Listed success at Deauville followed by a strong second in the Group 3 Prix de Meautry. His performance on Saturday confirms he’s now fully established at Group level – and we couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead.

The Greenlands Stakes is a highly regarded sprint on the European calendar, and to come away with the win against a competitive field is a testament to his professionalism and heart. This occasion marks his first trip to Ireland, so it was great to see him handle the track so well; with a heavy shower beforehand easing the ground only adding to his advantage. He is a horse who continues to improve with every run, and we are delighted to see his potential coming to fruition – especially under these conditions. Looking ahead, further Group races are under serious consideration, with an entry already held in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. It’s a privilege to train a horse of this calibre, and we’re very grateful to the Rooneys for their continued support.

Later that day at the Curragh, three-year-old Shameful delivered a valiant performance to finish a close second in his third career start and debut in handicap company. In a thrilling finish, he looked set to hold on for victory after racing prominently on the far side and pulling clear of the field. However, despite his brave effort, he was narrowly denied on the line by Iceford, trained by Johnny Murtagh, who surged home strongly from a wide draw. This run further confirms Shameful's promising form, and it was another highly encouraging performance. Congratulations to his owning connections, Teme Valley and Austin Whelan - we’re excited to keep building from here.

A huge thank you goes to everyone at the yard for their dedication and hard work behind the scenes – results like this are always very much a team effort.