Tahiyra went one better than last month's second in the One Thousand Guineas (G1) when landing the Irish equivalent May 28 at the Curragh. Dermot Weld's filly lost her unbeaten record when second to Mawj in the Newmarket Classic but got back to winning ways under Chris Hayes.
A pulsating finish to the feature Group 1 @Tattersalls1766 Irish 1,000 Guineas as Tahiyra shows her class and asserts inside the final furlong to land back-to-back renewals of the race for the @chrishayes24 and Dermot Weld combination 🏆 pic.twitter.com/K9DhOhfxyn
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) May 28, 2023
It was a second group 1 success at the course for Tahiyra, who won the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) last September, and the Aga Khan-owned daughter of Siyouni was left unchanged at 7-4 with Paddy Power for the prestigious Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot next month.
Hayes combined with Weld to win the Classic 12 months ago on Homeless Songs but success aboard Tahiyra held special significance after her half-length defeat to Mawj.
"I'm proud of the filly," Hayes said. "I know we could do no more at Newmarket but I was very deflated after and I took it hard. I was delighted racing was called off the next day because you don't get opportunities like that too often.
"It was just self-criticism but we were able to get things right today. Tactically I had to be very aware from where I was drawn and I needed a willing partner and by God she's good.
😘 A kiss for Tahiyra.
— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) May 28, 2023
The Aga Khan’s star filly victorious in the Gr.1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas. pic.twitter.com/Xs9KcgOA6f
"She's tough and tenacious. Ideally, she'd like a faster pace but it'll show you how good she is when she can adapt to circumstances like that. I'd always consider myself a journeyman jockey so it was the most pressure."
Weld first landed the Classic in 1982 with Prince's Polly and Tahiyra provided his sixth winner in the race.
"She's a very talented filly," Weld said. "My only concern was the draw. Everything went according to plan. I said before Newmarket I needed another two weeks ideally and that's just what cost her the race—it just came a little bit soon in the season for her.
"She progressed well since Newmarket and the warm weather was a huge help. We'll look at the Coronation for her now as a possibility depending on how she comes out of the race."
Tahiyra scored by 1 1/2 lengths over 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) heroine Meditate, who was entering off a sixth-place effort at Newmarket for trainer Aidan O'Brien. The Ballydoyle runner ran admirably, taking the lead turning for home only to be caught late by Tahiyra in the final 110 yards.
Longshot Comhra ran on for third.
