Fozzy Stack could have a Classic contender on his hands after Thesecretadversary surged to a taking victory in the Ballylinch Stud Red Rocks Stakes at Leopardstown.
Narrowly beaten in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, he scooped Listed honours on home soil at Tipperary before ending his two-year-old campaign in Grade One company at Woodbine.
Sent off at 6-1 for the Group Three event that has been dominated by Aidan O'Brien in recent years, the son of St Mark’s Basilica broke away quickly, with Seamie Heffernan always holding on to plenty of horse as he travelled in behind 4-1 joint-favourite Dorset and Group One winner Power Blue.
Entering the straight it soon looked likely he would play a role in the finish and he stormed on stylishly in the final furlong to record a two-and-a-half-length success over Power Blue, seeing his odds for the Betfred 2000 Guineas cut in the process.
"He did it well. He was a bit unlucky in Canada the last day that he wasn’t a bit closer. He’s in everything so we’ll have a chat and see where we go. He stays well," said Stack.
"He’s been working well. He ran a good race at Ascot last year and he won that race in Tipperary well, he beat a horse that was second in the Middle Park, so he has a fair level of form."
He went on: "He was a little bit keen today. I always thought he might get a mile and a quarter, but looking at that I’d probably say a mile. Not saying that we won’t try a mile and a quarter at some stage.
"He’s in every Guineas, bar the Italian! I also entered him in a million dollar race at Keeneland the same day as the English Guineas, but that probably won’t happen now. I’ll talk to the owners."
True Love laid down an early marker for the season ahead with a win in the Ballylinch Stud Priory Belle Stakes.
Putting stamina to the test in the seven-furlong Group Three, Aidan O'Brien’s talented daughter of No Nay Never was the 3-1 joint-favourite for her seasonal return having excelled at two with victories at Royal Ascot, against colts in the Railway Stakes and when picking up top honours in the Cheveley Park.
Always in a handy position, with stablemate Composing leading them along, Ryan Moore edged his mount to the stands rail on rounding the bend for home, asserting their dominance in the closing stages for a length-and-a-quarter verdict over the running-on Magny Cours.
The winner could next contest the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket – a race for which O’Brien already has the top two in the market – Precise and Diamond Necklace.
True Love on her return to the track, returns to form, after a classy performance to claim the @BallylinchStud Priory Belle Stakes for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien 👏 pic.twitter.com/RZRMYqMlnG
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) April 12, 2026
"She’s a big, pacy mare, whether she’ll get the mile or not it’s hard to know," said O’Brien.
"Ryan said she travelled very easily and went through the race very easily, so he was very happy, but obviously the mile is what you can’t be sure about.
"Ryan rode her positively, wanting to find out. Obviously if you dropped her in a bit more she might relax a little bit and come home better.
"He gave her a beautiful ride. You couldn’t be sure until you see her do it, she is a big high cruiser and does everything very easily.
"She had a Group One penalty. She was the first out and waited for them to come and lead her. She’s a big classy filly. She’s definitely something to look forward to."
He added of a trip to England for the Guineas: "She’s definitely a possible for it, depending on how Precise and Diamond Necklace are will decide which of them goes to Newmarket.
"She can go to France if she doesn’t go to Newmarket."
