Wichita continues to hit the crossbar at Group 1 level for leading local flat breeder, Max Irvine writes Joe Kavanagh.
The colt by No Nay Never and trained by Aidan O’Brien finished third – a length behind the winner in the Grade 1 St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday.xa0
The top class horse had finished runner up in the English 2,000gns just a neck in arrears of Kameko – both times picked by Ryan Moore as his preferred mount in the high profile races.
County Down Stud owner Max Irvine based at Killyleagh, who regularly picks up awards at the Irish Breeders Association Awards, said: ”Group 1 success is very hard. He’s the third horse I bred just to have been pipped at Grade 1 level including one in the Champion Stakes.
“He’s obviously top class and has the right trainer and connections to continue to compete at the top table.”
Wichita was sold as a yearling for £140,000 when bought by the Coolmore team and races for Coolmore boss John Magnier and his partners Michael Tabor and Derek Smith.xa0
“The locally bred horse holds an entry in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh next month while the Sussex Stales at Goodwood while not presently engaged could be another option.”xa0xa0
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