Marten Julian’s Weekly Roundup 26 May 2026

The fact that Ryan Moore has twice been on the ‘wrong one’ in the fillies’ Guineas races reflects the uncertainty at Ballydoyle over the pecking order for their top-class performers at this time of year.

In the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Ryan Moore rode Precise because there was a strong feeling beforehand, and one with which I concurred, that True Love was not bred to stay a mile. As a daughter of No Nay Never and a full sister to Truly Enchanting, who never ran beyond six furlongs and who won a Group 2 over that trip as a two-year-old, she was bred for speed.

By contrast Precise was proven over the trip, having beaten subsequent 1000 Guineas third Venetian Lace by three and a quarter lengths in last year’s Fillies’ Mile.

At the Curragh on Sunday, Precise reversed the Newmarket form with True Love by seven and a half lengths, with Ryan Moore expressing the view that his filly’s stamina was stretched at the Curragh.

But then, who would have predicted that Albert Einstein would have run and been beaten three times by the end of May, given the high esteem in which he was held?

As I wrote here a few weeks ago, I had not seen any evidence from the colt’s two runs last year of the blinding speed he allegedly reveals at home.

The ‘lads’ have always allowed their trainer a loose rein when talking about his horses and that is unlikely to change. He is not obliged to adhere to the party line when discussing their relative merits, which is healthy but fraught with danger.

Aidan was gushing in his post-race interview after the Irish 1,000 Guineas, running through the names of the Ballydoyle staff who were associated with the filly at home, as is his wont.

What we need to understand regarding this operation is that they don’t always know which are the best of the crop and so here we are, less than a fortnight away from the Epsom Classics, with no decision yet made on their representatives.

Regarding the colts, many observers take the view that the Dee Stakes winner Constitution River is the current pick of their potential Derby prospects but there are concerns about his stamina, although I don’t see that from his pedigree.

Provided she recovers from Sunday’s exertions, I expect Precise to take her chance in the Oaks. Her stamina is not assured but there is staying blood on her distaff side and she settles well. That turn of foot she displayed, both last season and at the weekend, could prove decisive.

We have a relatively quiet weekend coming up before the questions get answered a few days later on Epsom Downs.

Bye for now

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