Qatar Racing buys Irish Guineas hope Now Or Never

Now Or Never, impressive winner of the Gr.3 Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial, has been bought by Qatar Racing ahead of her intended start in Ireland's second Classic of the year, the Gr.1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Trained by Michael O'Callaghan, the three-year-old daughter of Bushranger went clear under Kieren Fallon when easily winning at Leopardstown over one mile (see picture below by Racing Post Photos). As a two-year-old she landed her maiden by five and a half lengths and was placed in a Group 2 race.

O'Callaghan said: "Now Or Never is in great form and we are really looking forward to running her at the Curragh next weekend [May 22]. She is a filly we have always thought a lot of and she has undoubtedly improved from two to three.

"It is a pleasure and honour to train horses for Qatar Racing. In Blue De Vega and Now Or Never they have a couple of really smart three-year-olds with me, along with some promising juveniles. It would be great to reward the faith Sheikh Fahad has shown by winning a big race for them."

David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, said: ‚"You couldn't be anything other than impressed by how Now Or Never won the Guineas trial. It was a very taking performance.

"She is a live Classic contender on the upgrade with black type already to her name, and so will make a valuable addition to our band of broodmares. But for now, we are just excited about seeing her at the Curragh in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.‚"

Fallon, who has ridden Now Or Never in both her starts this season, will keep the ride in the big race. He said: ‚"She's as good a filly that I've ridden, with the exception of Russian Rhythm. I think she is very good. I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I don't care what turns up at the Curragh I really like my filly and wouldn't swap her.‚"

Qatar Racing's first European Classic success came in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas when Just The Judge won the 2013 running of the race.