The Master of Rosewell House claimed his twelfth Irish Classic at the Curragh this weekend as Bethrah fought tooth and nail down the straight to win the Irish 1000 Guineas carrying the colors of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Bethrah was far from favored – the filly went off at 16/1 odds – and her winning margin eclipsed the efforts of four other contenders who bunched together just a half-length back. Credit Pat Smullen, whose brilliant tactics netted Weld’s stable jockey his seventh Irish Classic. But all credit is due to Bethrah. Said Weld of his runner, “She is tough and genuine.”
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Emmy Award-winning director Simon Wincer confirms that principal photography for The Cup will commence in Australia on May 31. The veteran filmmaker who has crafted classics such as The Man From Snowy River, Lonesome Dove, and Free Willy has already completed second unit photography for The Cup at two key venues: The Curragh in County Kildare, Ireland, site of Dermot Weld’s training center; and Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, home of the Melbourne Cup, the world’s most prestigious two-mile handicap.

