Aidan O’Brien’s Whistlejacket recorded a well-deserved Group 1 in Sunday’s six-furlong Prix Morny at Deauville, only eight days after his gallant second in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes.
Kept on the rail by jockey Ryan Moore, Whistlejacket made all of the six-furlong contest, holding off the late challenge of Group 2 Coventry Stakes winner Rashabar. Whilst Brian Meehan's charge came with a late run on the wide outside, he was unable to pin back Whistlejacket and finished three-quarters of a length behind the winner in second. Daylight turned around the form with Karl Burke's Arabie to finish third and fourth respectively.
In an interview with Sky Sports Racing, trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Really it was the boss's (John Magnier) decision – he felt he could do the two, the Heinz (Phoenix Stakes) and the Morny.
"He's a very fast horse – a typical No Nay Never, very quick. Ryan said the same – he had all the guns all the way.
"He came out of the race (last week) very well and I'm delighted. Ryan felt the Irish race didn't go quite the way he wanted, he felt two of them got together very early and the Curragh is a tough track.
"Ryan gave him a brilliant ride as always. He's a Middle Park-type horse and probably a Breeders' Cup-type horse."
Paddy Power shortened Whistlejacket in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes from 14/1 to 12/1 and remained unchanged at 33/1 for next season's 2000 Guineas.
