Big Curragh run has opened up plenty of options.
It is Trainer Hugo Palmer with a Group One scalp firmly in his sights when assessing the prospect of future Group One success for Seagulls Eleven after the rising star's gutsy performance in National Stakes at The Curragh. Although hugely frustrated by interference on several occasions inside the final stages, the colt clung on to finish third, and Palmer was certainly optimistic when proud of his charge's tenacity. Seagulls Eleven, a promising son of the 2016 Guineas winner Galileo Gold, has quietly had a good season so far, and Palmer has more expectations for big things for the horse. Winner at Haydock and second in Newmarket's Group Two Superlative Stakes, the juvenile looks an early prospect for big things. His recent performance at Curragh only served to strengthen Palmer's resolve that the colt will make a high-level performer before the season is out.
"We are more than happy with how he's carried himself," Palmer reflected. "He showed a hell of a lot of guts and was very much in the running right through the race. I think he'd have driven home second place if it hadn't been for those bumps he took in the last third of the race. It's frustrating because he hung in there, fighting away, but hard knocks cost him some." The trainer of Manor House Stables is weighing up a range of super options for Seagulls Eleven, including the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, the Dewhurst Stakes, and even a run in the Breeders' Cup.
Palmer is, however, mindful of not over-extending his young star and will likely limit him to just one more run this year. He said the colt was versatile and noted his natural aptness for ground and gate speed, which would serve him well on the world circuit. "All doors are open, but we will be clever about which one we choose next, Palmer said. "The Royal Lodge doesn't feel part of the scheme of things, but the Lagardere and Dewhurst are certainly contenders. He has shown he can hang with the best, and the Breeders' Cup remains very enticing. I think he's ready for a mile, but if we are based in Europe, we would play at seven furlongs."
With Seagulls Eleven's performances this season more and more flashing his sire Galileo Gold who gave Palmer much success, lifting the 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes, Brighton & Hove Albion-owned colt is toting much expectation with him. His trainer is still assured that, on a physical scale, the horse may live up to some of those expectations. "He's a big horse, bigger than his father was at this stage, and with that size comes the hope of further improvement over the winter," Palmer said. "His dad finished third in the Lagardere at two, and Seagulls Eleven is following a similar path." Some days later Palmer reflected on the future for the colt when he said: 'Hopefully, next season we can start his three-year-old campaign in the 2000 Guineas, a race his father won.' And with each race the horse does, he is building towards that promising future, so Palmer remains hopeful that this winter will bring further growth and development.
SCORTHY CHAMP springs a surprise to land the G1 National Stakes! #WorldPool š¤ #IrishChampionsFestival pic.twitter.com/Mp8iTlJ09b
ā World Pool (@WorldPool) September 15, 2024
"He's rated the same as Galileo Gold was at two, but we feel there's even more to come from Seagulls Eleven," added Palmer proudly. "He's shown us so much already, and we're hopeful that his size and strength will be translated to greater works next year. The Guineas would be the natural point from which he begins in 2024." As the season draws to a close, Palmer's camp has secretly smiled with confidence that Seagulls Eleven will just run along in the prestigious hoofprints of his sire. And as things stand, the next race course for this great youngster is anybody's guess.
