"We feel like we're good enough" - Charlton itching to unleash Cosmic Year in Curragh Classic
Harry Charlton is gearing up Cosmic Year for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, following a triumph at the Listed King Charles II Stakes. Confidence is high due to Cosmic Year's versatile racing style and strategic planning between Charlton and jockey Oisin Murphy. Facing competition like Juddmonte-owned Field Of Gold, they're ready for the challenge. With carefully thought-out tactics and an advantageous starting position, Cosmic Year is poised to be a strong contender in this classic race.
- Harry Charlton's Cosmic Year targets the Irish 2,000 Guineas
- Skipped Newmarket's 2000 Guineas for King Charles II Stakes win
- Confident in Cosmic Year's ability, owing to versatility & strategic planning
Harry Charlton is busy preparing Cosmic Year to take on the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh this Saturday.
Charlton's team opted to bypass the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month, instead opting to run in the Listed King Charles II Stakes. Unbeaten son of Kingman ran out an impressive winner of that seven-furlong contest, after which Charlton was keen to up his star into Group One company.
Speaking ahead of the race, Charlton expressed confidence in Cosmic Year's ability to handle the challenge.
"We feel like we're good enough to have a shot at it," said Charlton. "It's a neatish field without too much clutter, which is nice. It looks like one of the better Irish 2000 Guineas I'd have thought, but I'm excited.
"Your mind whirrs a little bit but I guess it's a nice pressure to have because it means you have something important happening."
"The time experts tell me we'd have been pretty close to the first three in the 2,000 Guineas based on the time of his last run at Newmarket, so that gives us a bit of confidence. He's quick but he's perfectly happy going 20mph with his head tucked in, and I'm hoping his strength is his ability to switch between being relaxed and quickening.
"That gives you a bit of a chance in these races because you need to be able to get a position and then have the skills to put the race to bed if it's plausible. He's very laid-back and once he's done what he's meant to do in the mornings or after the races, he slots back into his routine pretty quick. He's got a very good mind, so he's easy in that sense. I feel that if things pan out then we definitely have a shot."
Cosmic Year will be stepping up to a mile for the first time, facing stiff competition from some of the best three-year-olds in the field. None more so than the fellow Juddmonte-owned Field Of Gold, who'll be ridden by Colin Keane following his runner-up finish in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
There's potentially a lack of pace in Saturday's field, with most of the entrants likely to be held up. Charlton isn't concerned about the tactical side of the race, stating that he and Oisin Murphy have already formed a plan.
"Oisin and I have a view of how it might pan out," said Charlton. "WhatsApps have been pinging away and Oisin's mind is already spinning about what he thinks each horse will do from which draw."
"People on the other side of being a jockey don't really realise how much they think about that, and I think that builds a picture of how you ride a horse."
"I suspect it will be an even tempo with Windlord in there, which probably makes it easier for everyone else to decide what they are doing."
"Stall five is good and, for me, it's easier than stall nine. Stall nine means you have to make up your mind as you come out the gate as to whether you're going forward or back. I think five gives you a few more options and Oisin will be able to make his decision once they jump and he sees where he lands."
The 2025 Irish 2000 Guineas will take place at 3:40pm tomorrow afternoon. Read our full guide to this historic Classic here.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
28 May 2026
- 2026 Brigadier Gerard Stakes -
- Horse Racing
30 May 2026
- 2026 Lester Piggott Stakes -
- Horse Racing
05 June 2026
- 2026 Epsom Oaks -
- Horse Racing
Load More
