HENRYTHENAVIGATOR : Another winner for Aidan O'Brien

Henrythenavigator holds off New Approach (dailymail)Susan Magnier’s Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo) hadn’t been out since finishing third to New Approach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Futurity Stakes in August, but proved resolute in the final yards of Saturday’s G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket to hand that rival his first defeat.

“The race worked well for me and he really answered the call,” said winning rider Johnny Murtagh, who piloted Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) to victory in 2002. “He quickened up well and I thought I would win by a neck, but he got tired and fair dues to the second. He battled back-they are two very high-class horses.”

While Henrythenavigator’s success in the G2 Coventry Stakes came over six furlongs at Royal Ascot in June, the manner of that performance and his pedigree suggested a step up in trip would not pose a problem.

“We were happy with him at home, but it was his first run and all of our horses have been improving a lot for it,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said after greeting his fifth winner. “He was entitled to get tired at the end, and will improve. We thought the world of him last year and he was always exceptional.”

Click here to watch video of Henrythenavigator winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket 2008. 

O’BRIEN’S PREVIOUS GUINEAS WINNERS

Year          Winner                                         Sire
2006         George Washington (Ire)     Danehill
2005         Footstepsinthesand (GB)     Giant’s Causeway
2002         Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)         Danehill
1998          King of Kings (Ire)                  Sadler’s Wells

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain

STANJAMESUK.COM 2000 GUINEAS S. (THE 200^TH RUNNING)-G1 , ,375,000, Newmarket, 5-3, 3yo, c/f, 1mT, 1:39.14, gd.
1—HENRYTHENAVIGATOR, 126, c, 3, by Kingmambo
    1st Dam: Sequoyah (Ire) (Hwt 2yo Filly-Ire, G1SW-Ire, $150,827), by Sadler ’s Wells
    2nd Dam: Brigid, by Irish River (Fr)
    3rd Dam: Luv Luvin’, by Raise a Native
O-Susan Magnier; B-Western Bloodstock; T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Johnny Murtagh; ,212,887. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-1
2—New Approach (Ire), 126, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)-Park Express (Ire), by Ahonoora GB).
3—Stubbs Art (Ire), 126, c, 3, Hawk Wing—Rich Dancer (GB), by Halling.