Joseph O’Brien’s four-year-old filly Beset gave Paardeberg Stud’s resident sire Expert Eye a fine boost on Sunday at The Curragh when routing her 14 rivals in the Listed Guinness 0.0 Finale Stakes over a-mile-and-a-half to win by 7,5 lengths under Declan McDonogh.
In her previous start the Expert Eye filly was raised 12 points from 88 to 100 when finishing second in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes over a-mile-and-a-half at Naas.
It was Beset’s third career victory and she joins Witness Stand, Snellen and Entrancement as stakes winners by Expert Eye since the latter’s import by Paardeberg Stud.
Witness Stand won the Gr 2 Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood, was second in the Gr 2 Hungerford Stakes over seven furlongs at Newbury and was second in the Listed Memorial City Plate Stakes over seven furlongs at Chester.
Snellen won the Gr 3 Meld Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown.
Entrancement won the Gr 3 Prix Belle de Nuit at Saint Cloud and the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Beckford Stakes at Bath, both over a mile and six furlongs.
Furthermore, Magic Basma and Naina have had a Listed second and Listed third respectively this season.
Expert Eye’s winners to runners percentage since his import has risen to 54%.
On Sunday Beset was never far off the pace and led travelling well entering the final quarter-mile before clearing away to beat Royal Entry with ease.
Beset carries the colours of Kevin Blake and is owned in partnership with Emma Palmer, Michael Wilson and Nick Luck.
“She’s had a good year, stakes placed and now a stakes winner,” said McDonogh.
“She has a very enthusiastic bunch of owners, and they will be hot on Instagram tonight.
“I went down to the two (furlong marker) on the bridle which is a rare thing, and she picked up really well.”
Expert Eye himself’s greatest hour was when winning the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Mile.
Notable Speech was one of the most impressive Breeders Cup winners on Saturday at Del Mar when showing an incredible turn of foot to win the Breeders Cup Mile and South African breeders should be jumping at the opportunity to breed with a Breeders Cup Mile winner on their doorstep in the form of Paardeberg’s Expert Eye.
