Vespertilio edged out last year's winner My Mate Alfie in a thrilling finish to the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes at the Curragh.
One of Willie McCreery’s stable stars, Verspertilio was not beaten far in the Greenlands Stakes over this course and distance last time out but was given a more patient ride this time around by Dylan Browne McMonagle.
As Ger Lyons’ My Mate Alfie produced his customary honest challenge from up near the pace, Browne McMonagle found himself towards the rear of the field as the race began to develop, but he had a willing partner as the daughter of Night Of Thunder quickly weaved her way to within striking distance.
It was soon left to the the 2-1 favourite to fight out the conclusion with her main market rival My Mate Alfie, with just a short head separating them at the finish, as Vespertilio tasted success for the first time since claiming the Debutante Stakes as a two-year-old.
The Willie McCreery-trained Vespertilio (2-1F) capitalises on a drop in class to Listed level, claiming the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes at the Curragh under Dylan Browne McMonagle pic.twitter.com/jNlUWdZOAa
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 29, 2025
McCreery said: "She needs cover and lots of speed. Dylan was very patient and said when she hit the front she thought she had everything done and pulled herself up.
"I’m delighted to get her back in the winner’s enclosure. She won a Group Two here as a two-year-old and was third in a French Guineas.
"It was hard to persuade the owners to bring her back to six furlongs as she had such good form over a mile, but it has paid off – Night Of Thunder puts loads of speed into them, the important thing is to switch her off early.
"We might go for the Maurice De Gheest. She has a French breeder premium so she gets another bonus on top if she does well over there."
Ed Dunlop's Skukuza showed his liking for the track once again when claiming the Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes.
The four-year-old had made a successful raid on a valuable handicap at the Kildare track on Irish 2,000 Guineas day but this time was back for Listed action and was sent off at 11-4 in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Quickly sent to the head of affairs by his big-race pilot, the Newmarket traveller never missed a beat on the front end as Moore dictated the pace before sending his mount on to secure a two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Johnny Murtagh’s Alakazi, with Paddy Twomey’s 2-1 favourite Currawood further back in third.
Robin Trevor Jones, travelling head lad to Ed Dunlop, said: "We ran him in the Britannia last year where he ran a great race (second) but it really jarred him up and we couldn’t risk him on that fast ground at Ascot this year.
The Listed Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes goes for export, with Ryan Moore making all on the progressive Skukuza (11-4) for trainer Ed Dunlop pic.twitter.com/1jKlgrLxlK
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 29, 2025
"It was a brave decision not to run when you are one of the favourites for the Royal Hunt Cup but the plan has worked. He’s a Listed winner now so we are growing.
"Ryan really wanted to get a lead but he didn’t expect any pace on so he said I might have to make my own running which he did. The horse has never done that, but he did everything right and I think the further he went the further he was going to win."
