ONE TO FOLLOW: National Hunt racing's tweed-fest at Cheltenham is over, and now it's the turn of the multi-million euro blue-bloods, as Ireland's flat season kicks off at the Curragh tomorrow. Fresh from having won his private $16 million battle with Sheikh Mohammed for the world's most expensive horse sold at auction, John Magnier will unleash the first of Coolmore Stud's potential classic superstars trained by Aidan O'Brien.
The major hope for classic success in 2006 looks to be Europe's champion two-year-old of last season, George Washington (right), whose first major aim will be the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May. But he is just one of a strong O'Brien crop of three-year-olds that will provide the controversial jockey Kieren Fallon with a lot of ammunition this year. Fallon - born in Co Clare - is still on bail as British police continue investigations into possible race-fixing.
For the Curragh it will be a year of change as building has begun on a €90-million facelift for the famous old course. But even with new roads being built and old stands being torn down, there will be no disruption to racing at the Curragh.
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