Attraction brilliantly ridden by Kevin Darley wins The Irish 1000 Guineas (Gr.1)
By Bob Sawhny
May 24, 2004

The Mark Johnston-trained Attraction (Efisio - Flirtation) made history at the Curragh (Ireland) on Sunday, when she became the first filly to complete The English-Irish 1000 Guineas double.

Trainer Mark Johnston's unbeaten star, followed up her Newmarket success in brilliant style by taking the Boylesports - sponsored event, by a length from Alexandra Goldrun, coming in third was Illustrious Miss and filling the frame to be fourth was Kinnaird. The classy Attraction (2-1), who was superbly ridden by Kevin Darley, stopped the clock at an impressive One Minute 37.600 seconds. She thus had the distinction of being the first winner of both The English and Irish 1000 Guineas in the 82-year history of The Irish race.

Smartly away, Attraction was taken on in the early stages by Aidan O'Brien's - Kisses For Me, but the Yorkshire runner showed too much speed and was soon dictating matters at the head of the 15-runner field.

Heading up the straight, it was another Middleham runner in Kinnaird, who looked like posing a danger, but she could not withstand the sparkling speed unleashed by Attraction. In the final furlong, Alex Goldrun could not get on terms with the unbeaten winner and had to be content with the runner-up berth. 

While exact plans for the history-making filly are unclear, The Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot remains a likely possibility. 

Attractions 'Sire' - Efisio (Formidable- Eldoret) who was unbeaten in four starts at two years, was the winner of eight races (6-8 furlongs) including several Group races including - The Premio Emilio Turati  (Gr.1 over 8 furlongs) and The Premio Chiusura (Gr.2 over 7 furlongs). Efisio holds the distinction of twice being the champion older Miler, who was rated 127 by Timeform in 1986.