Racing Post

Upwardly mobile Twomey happy with rain for Sonaiyla

DAVID JENNINGS

PADDY TWOMEY might not be an instantly recognisable name in Britain, but his reputation has been soaring in Ireland and his strike-rate is remarkable.

He has sent out seven winners from just 28 runners this season, while nine others have been placed. He had a 22 per cent success rate last year, 29 per cent in 2019 and 25 per cent in 2018. This is a trainer going places.

The fact Moyglare kept Sonaiyla in training with Twomey after splashing the cash last December speaks volumes. They forked out 900,000 guineas for the daughter of Dark Angel and could get £396,970 of it back if she wins. Such a scenario is not beyond the bounds of possibility either.

Sonaiyla did remarkably well to win the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes at the Curragh last time, having almost been knocked over shortly after leaving the stalls, and Twomey

reports her to be in tip-top shape for her big showdown.

Twomey said: “It will require a career-best to win, but she’s in the form of her life. All ground comes alike to her and I actually think all this rain won’t inconvenience her at all. She’s drawn in four, in between Dream Of Dreams and Glen Shiel, so I’m happy about that.”

The last Irish-trained winner of the Diamond Jubilee was the Aidan O’Brien-trained Merchant Navy in 2018, while Slade Power did the business for Eddie Lynam and Wayne Lordan in 2014. Sonaiyla is the sole Irish representative on this occasion.

DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES

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