Zavateri justified the faith and bravery of his trainer Eve Johnson Houghton with a thrilling victory in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.
Although unbeaten in three previous starts, including back-to-back Group Two wins in the July Stakes at Newmarket and Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, the Without Parole colt went on his way at 15-2 stepping into the lion’s den.
Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad was the favourite to provide his trainer Aidan O’Brien with a 13th National Stakes success, having met with defeat for the first time when a close second to Venetian Sun in the Prix Morny, but in Zavateri he came up against a worthy and willing adversary.
The pair had it between them racing inside the final furlong, with both Gstaad and Zavateri – who looked like he might win with some authority at one point – giving their all under Christophe Soumillon and Charlie Bishop respectively.
After a brief wait, the judge confirmed Zavateri the winner by a head and while the stewards called an inquiry after some late scrimmaging, the placings were quickly upheld.
Game as a lion, Zavateri (15-2) extends his unbeaten record to four races by prevailing in a head-bobbing finish to the Group One Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes for Charles Bishop and Eve Johnson Houghton #IrishChampionsWeekend pic.twitter.com/YfcgjtNWNR
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 14, 2025
Johnson Houghton said: "He is so straightforward and is such a dude of a horse – I don’t train him, he trains me!
"This race just sat right because it was a long way from Goodwood to the Dewhurst. We wanted to find a spot in between and I didn’t want to go to the Champagne (at Doncaster) and carry another penalty.
"He’s already won a Group Two with a penalty. It’s a Group One and we are coming into Aidan’s backyard, but it was the right spot time-wise for him.
"He’s come from a long way back on sticky ground, and they have not been finishing from a long way back today. That was pretty impressive, I’d say, and Charlie has given him a beautiful ride."
Bishop – recording the second Group One victory of his career – added: "I had to come out a bit sooner than I would have liked, but when Christophe made his move, I made my move. It was the same as Goodwood, he never knows when he’s beat.
"It’s great to have a winner at Royal Ascot, but these Group One winners are what make the difference so it’s important to deliver when you get the opportunities."
Precise upset better-fancied stablemate Composing and previously unbeaten British raider Venetian Sun to land the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Silver Flash and Debutante Stakes winner Composing looked the clear first string of three runners for Aidan O'Brien as the even-money favourite, with Albany, Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun a 5-2 shot to provide Karl Burke with his fourth winner of the weekend.
Composing was soon in front in the hands of Christophe Soumillon, with another Ballydoyle runner, Beautify, her nearest pursuer passing the two-furlong marker and Precise and Venetian Sun in behind.
While Venetian Sun and Clifford Lee were caught in a pocket as the race began in earnest, Precise had clear daylight down the outside under Ronan Whelan and quickened up well to grab the lead inside the final furlong and beat Beautify by three-quarters of a length as an 11-2 chance.
Venetian Sun was a further length and three-quarters behind in third having never really got into top gear, while Composing was ultimately a little disappointing in fourth given she had the run of the race.
Precise (11-2) and Ronan Whelan lead home an Aidan O'Brien-trained one-two in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh #IrishChampionsWeekend pic.twitter.com/yYREVdJbYW
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 14, 2025
Of the winner, O’Brien said: "She’s an improving filly who had a lovely run the last day and has come forward a lot. She’s a home-bred filly who is out of a Galileo mare with a good pedigree.
"It is probably tough out there making the running. Christophe’s filly won making the running the last couple of times and we didn’t want to change it too much.
"Ronan ended up in probably the perfect position and was able to control the race from where he was. She quickened up very well and is growing and maturing all the time.
"The Fillies’ Mile could be a possibility for her next."
