Jockey Ryan Moore has completed a Classic double at Newmarket with Legatissimo’s win in the 1000 Guineas.
Twenty four hours after gaining his first 2000 Guineas on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Gleneagles in the same colours, the 31-year-old stole the show again with a power-packed ride aboard the 13-2 shot, this time for David Wachman.
In doing so, Moore became the first rider since Kieren Fallon in 2005 to do the big-race double on Guineas weekend.
Moore’s season includes wins in the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
With his original mount and pre-post favourite Found scratched, it looked as if Moore’s chances had been significantly reduced but he found a more than able substitute.
Last at halfway, Moore bided his time waiting for the right moment to make his move, as Tiggy Wiggy and Redstart led the field.
Redstart weakened but Tiggy Wiggy continued to gallop on resolutely in front until the Jim Bolger-trained Lucida powered past in a move which looked to have put the race to bed.
With Moore now in full flow, Wachman’s filly, started to reel in the 9-2 favourite.
Lucida battled back but it was not to be, as she went down fighting by three-quarters of a length, with Tiggy Wiggy another 4-1/2 lengths back in third, gifting the Irish handler his first English Classic success.
“She’s a lovely filly, a big, scopey filly, and Ryan gave her a great ride,” Wachman said.
“She won very well in Gowran last week. We were taking a chance coming here so soon, but it worked.
“She is in everything, so the Oaks is a possibility.”
Moore said he thought his chances of the double were over when Found was withdrawn.
“I am lucky to have picked up two good rides,” he said.
“I was a bit gutted when Found was not running as she is an exceptional filly and I was looking forward to riding her, but it has worked out well as I found another great one.”
