By Sean Cronin
Aidan O'Brien annexed the last three editions of the Curragh's Sky Bet Club Irish EBF Maiden–with Amadeus Mozart, Henri Matisse and Unquestionable–and made it four in a row when Aix La Chapelle (Justify), a son of dual Group 1 winner Immortal Verse (Pivotal), pounced in the closing stages of the seven-furlong contest.
“They were horses that we were getting out in case they were [Listed] Chesham horses and we're delighted with him,” O'Brien commented. “They went along there and he did well as he was never away [from home] and Wayne [Lordan] gave him a lovely ride. He's a sleeper at home, but he's a beautiful horse. He could be a Chesham horse now.”
The 4-1 second choice broke smartly and settled second behind a searching tempo set by Bull Shark (Mehmas). Rowed along to reduce arrears with three furlongs remaining, he came under sterner urging inside the final quarter-mile and was driven out to deny the long-time leader by 1 1/2 lengths nearing the line.
Named after a German spa town (Aachen) Aix La Chapelle (Justify) delivers on debut ✅ pic.twitter.com/vQOFu4z3KM
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 3, 2026
Aix La Chapelle is the latest of seven registered foals and sixth scorer for the aforementioned G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois heroine Immortal Verse (Pivotal), herself a 4.7m guineas sensation at Tattersalls' 2013 December Sale.
He is a full-brother to G2 Airlie Stud Stakes victrix Statuette (Justify) and kin to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett), winner of this contest in 2024, and the dual Group 1-winning distaffer Tenebrism (Caravaggio).
Immortal Verse, a daughter of stakes-winning G3 Prix Fille de l'Air runner-up Side Of Paradise (Sadler's Wells), was bred back to Justify last year.
3rd-Curragh, €22,000, Mdn, 6-3, 2yo, 7fT, 1:26.30, yl.
AIX LA CHAPELLE (c, 2, Justify–Immortal Verse {Ire} {G1SW-Eng & Fr}, by Pivotal {GB}) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $15,353.
O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Merriebelle Irish Farm Ltd; B-Orpendale, Chelston, Wynatt & Merriebelle Stables LLC (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
