HUGE success for 19-year-old Dylan Browne McMonagle as AL RIFFA lands the 2022 National Stakes

Al Riffa justified the decision to supplement for the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes as he landed the Group One prize at the Curragh. Winner of a maiden at this track on his second start last month, Joseph O’Brien’s charge was added to the field at a cost of €40,000 earlier in the weekend and he repaid that faith in style. Hans Andersen led his fellow Aidan O’Brien-trained inmate and 8-13 favourite Aesop’s Fables through the early stages, but they were lining up in behind to challenge in the final furlong. It was 9-1 shot Al Riffa who produced the decisive finish, powering down the middle of the course to give his rider Dylan Browne McMonagle a memorable first top-level victory. Proud And Regal was beaten a length and a quarter in second, with Shartash in third and Aesop’s Fables dropping away to come home fourth. “It was a special performance. He won his maiden well and the owners were keen to supplement him for this,” said O’Brien. “It was a very impressive performance to