Siskin overcame some severe traffic problems to run out the convincing winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.
With two furlongs to go Seamus Heffernan was hemmed in near the rail aboard Siskin however, needs as needs must and shouldering Armory out of the way on his outside, once Siskin found running room he quickened up in good style to go clear and
It is the first Classic success for trainer Ger Lyons, who told RTE the win was special.
“This means everything, it means 30 years’ hard graft for everybody – to win a Guineas was always my number one and hopefully it’s the first of many.
“I’m delighted with the support we are getting from owners and the quality has increased year on year.
“That was hard work and full credit to Colin Keane. You don’t get a Guineas handed to you and they both stood up when it was needed. If there was a kink in that horse then he wasn’t going to go through that gap.
“I also want to thank Khalid Abdullah, who is watching in Paris, I’m sure. They are the ultimate breeders.”
The Guineas was the first time Siskin, a son of First Defence, had raced beyond six furlongs however, Lyons said he was confident last season’s Phoenix Stakes winner would cope.
“I was worried about this horse’s trip around February and March, but when we went into lockdown then I was confident that the trip wasn’t an issue,” Lyons said.
“If we were a sprinter then we were in trouble because we weren’t quick enough. He’s a very easy horse to train and no question he’s the best I’ve trained.
“We’ll probably go to Goodwood next for the Sussex, but I want to keep Colin on him and hopefully the 14 days (quarantine) will be gone by then. We are definitely skipping Ascot.
“I know he gets the mile and I wouldn’t draw a line through 10 furlongs at the moment.”