Bradsell produced another blistering display to supplement last month's Nunthorpe success with another Group One victory in the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.
Having sat out the first half of the season before a comeback victory in Listed company at Deauville, Archie Watson’s speedball has quickly confirmed himself as the real deal in the five-furlong division.
Having won the Nunthorpe at York just over three weeks ago with something to spare, the four-year-old was sent off the 2-1 favourite to follow up and broke smartly to ensure he was right in the firing line from the off in the hands of Hollie Doyle.
After taking over the lead from fellow British raider Washington Heights racing inside the final two furlongs, Bradsell quickly drew clear of the chasing pack to win by a decisive length and a quarter.
George Boughey’s admirable mare Believing, runner-up in the Nunthorpe, got rolling late further across the track to again pick up second place.
A winner of the Nunthorpe at York last time out, Bradsell (2-1F) adds another Group One over the minimum trip to his CV in the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh for Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle. pic.twitter.com/4PPnnpQgFf
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 15, 2024
"To be fair it was pretty easy watching. There wasn’t really a moment where you had any worries. He was imperious really," said Watson.
"He never looked like being beat, he kicked clear and he’s done it very well.
"I was surprised he wasn’t favourite for the Nunthorpe and was surprised this morning when there was a bit of negativity about the horse. I thought he was by far the best sprinter around and I hope that he’s showing people that he is.
"He’s just got so much speed, so much class, he’s tough and he’s just a pleasure to have anything to do with."
The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and Prix de l’Abbaye in three weeks’ time at Longchamp are both future targets.
Archie Watson is aiming Bradsell at the Prix de l'Abbaye - ground permitting - and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint after his win in the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes. pic.twitter.com/jOWsEZ8xbq
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 15, 2024
Watson added: "There are two more obvious races. The Abbaye is one, but I wouldn’t want it to be horrible ground or for him to be drawn stupidly high. If he got a good draw on all right ground there you’d say again he’d be very hard to beat.
"Then there is the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar which should be right up his street, a very quick five. One or both of those, all being well, would be the plan."
When asked if Bradsell could return as a five-year-old next season, the trainer said: "I hope so. He’s very good, he’s obviously had a slightly truncated career and he hasn’t really had a full season yet.
"I might have the best two-year-old five-furlong horse in my yard in Aesterius so it depends on what’s coming through and will be three-year-olds next year.
"I’d obviously love to have this horse to run throughout the year in all these divisions because I’d say he’d be very hard to beat again."
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