Thrice and Medici Venus scored for top jockey and Aidan O’Brien.
Three-time champion jockey Ryan Moore made a perfect introduction to Listowel's Harvest Festival, producing an excellent double on day three of the prestigious event. Famous for his worldwide triumphs and a whole career full of significant racing wins, Moore added the County Kerry track to his trophy cabinet as he steered both Thrice and Medici Venus to further success on an afternoon that will be remembered for quite some time to come.
While he has been on many of the world's greatest courses, this was Moore's first competitive ride at Listowel. He came in off a very solid book of four rides and was not long getting to grips with the occasion. The first win came in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, where Aidan O'Brien's colt, Thrice, had been heavily backed to follow up a promising debut at the Curragh last month. The son of Wootton Bassett did not disappoint at 1-4 favorite to anchor home in a comfortable four-length win.
📝 Ryan Moore ticks another one off the list pic.twitter.com/P5HFYJWlZ4
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 24, 2024
Moore was full of praise for Thrice but felt that the colt's immaturity marred his performance. "He had a good run at the Curragh, but he's still a bit babyish and was a little lost going around the bends," Moore said. "Once he got balanced in the last furlong and a half, he stayed going well to the line." For all his greenness, the rider was pleased with how Thrice handled Listowel's specific conditions, describing the flat track as "a bit quick and a bit ridgy.".
Not much longer did he need to wait for his second of the day. He shared Medici Venus in the MAC Hardware And Farm Supplies Irish EBF Rated Race, where the 15-8 favorite edged out The Marty Party in a thrilling finish, winning by a short head. The filly too was trained by O'Brien and she showed signs of inexperience but just showed enough improvement to get the win.
"She is still learning and is improving," Moore said after the race. "She had a lot on at the weights today, but she's still quite green and isn't sure what to do with herself just yet." Reflecting on his first experience of racing at Listowel, Moore added, "I've been well looked after, and it's a nice place to visit. I'm only here for the day, but I was delighted to come." Not all smooth sailing for the star jockey, however. Moore was fancied in the Listed Edmund and Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes on Mundi but could only manage to finish sixth.
The race was won emphatically by the Jessica Harrington-trained Curvature, ridden by Gary Carroll, who rode in for Colin Keane due to illness. Curvature, a 5-1 shot, had been prominent throughout and went clear in the last stages to win by two and a quarter lengths over Princess Child. Carroll, who rode Curvature to a previous victory last year, praised the filly's maturity and ability to adjust to the conditions. "The rain came, which suited her, and she liked the track," Carroll said. "She can be sharp and a bit untidy at times, but she's improving with age. She galloped well off the bend and traveled to the line very sweetly. The guile was pretty good for it."
Moore's final ride of the day didn't win him the Calvert. When he finished fourth on the mount for husband-owner-trainer Robert Tyner in the Fine Dining Race, sponsored by Castlebar Business Group. However, Moore's day was otherwise enhanced by two cracking wins, during which he rode the very toughest climbs in the Atlantic, Munster, and Connacht with great control and sounded pleased enough to do so again.
