Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien had already trained winners of this race: Van Gogh (2020) and Twain (2024). The stable also saddled New Zealand (fifth), Piazza San Marco (sixth) and Port Of Spain (seventh) in this edition.
Aidan O'Brien had already trained winners of this race: Van Gogh (2020) and Twain (2024). The stable also saddled New Zealand (fifth), Piazza San Marco (sixth) and Port Of Spain (seventh) in this edition.
With this win, Christophe Soumillon and trainer Aidan O'Brien combined for 7 Group 1 successes this season. The jockey had come close here before: Portland was third in 2023 and Mount Kilimanjaro was second in 2024.
Puerto Rico is the first foal and first winner of April Showers (Galileo), a winner and second in the Gr.2 Kilboy Estate Stakes. She is a full sister to several black-type winners, led by Misty For Me (Galileo), winner of the Gr.1 Irish 1,000 Guineas among four Group 1 victories, and Ballydoyle (Galileo), winner of the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac and dam of the Group 3 winner Red Riding Hood, as well as to the Listed winner Twirl.
Second dam Butterfly Cove (Storm Cat) was unraced, had two other winners and is a full sister to the Group 3 winner Kamarinskaya. Her daughter Misty For Me has produced four black-type winners: U S Navy Flag (War Front), winner of three Group 1 races including the Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes and the Gr.1 July Cup and now a sire, his full sister Roly Poly, also a triple Group 1 winner, Cover Song, winner of the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes, and the Listed winner Greenfinch.
Third dam Mr. P's Princess (Mr. Prospector) was unraced and is related to the Grade 1-winning sires Desert Wine (Damascus) and Menifee (Harlan). She produced five other winners, among them Fasliyev (Nureyev), winner of the Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes and the Gr.1 Prix Morny and later a sire, and she is the third dam of Marketsegmentation (American Pharoah), winner of the Grade 1 New York Stakes.
April Showers has a weanling colt, a full brother to Puerto Rico, and a yearling filly by No Nay Never.
| Year | Winner | Trainer / Jockey | Owner / Breeder | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | TwainWootton Bassett × Wading | Aidan O'BrienRyan Moore | Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John MagnierCoolmore | ||
| 2023 | SunwayGaliway × Kensea | David MenuisierOisin Murphy | Guy Pariente, Thomas Lines & Qatar RacingGuy Pariente Holding Sprl | ||
| 2022 | Proud And RegalGalileo × Simply Perfect | Donnacha Aidan O'BrienGavin Ryan | Derrick Smith/Mrs John Magnier/Michael Tabor/WesterbergCoolmore | ||
| 2021 | Angel BleuDark Angel × Cercle De La Vie | Ralph BeckettFrankie Dettori | Marc ChanPan Sutong Racing Bloodstock | ||
| 2020 | Van GoghAmerican Pharoah × Imagine | Aidan O'BrienPierre-Charles Boudot | M Tabor & D Smith & Mrs J Magnier & Mrs D NagleBarronstown Stud |