Almaqam exploded in Ireland and fully announced himself among Europe’s elite middle-distance stars

The son of Lope de Vega delivered a breathtaking performance in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) at The Curragh, securing the first top-level victory of his career in emphatic style and confirming the enormous potential his connections had always believed was there

COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland (Special to Turf Diario).- In a European middle-distance division already overflowing with talent through names such as Calandagan (Gleneagles), Daryz (Sea the Stars), and Ombudsman (Night of Thunder), a new contender emerged this Sunday ready to disrupt every established hierarchy.

And he did it in spectacular fashion.

Delivering a breathtaking performance, Almaqam launched his season with victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1)at The Curragh, finally confirming what trainer Ed Walker had been saying for quite some time: that the son of Lope de Vega possessed the qualities of an exceptional racehorse.

This time, he proved it at the very highest level.

In what also represented Walker’s first Irish Group 1 victory of the season, Almaqam defeated the rapidly improving Bay City Roller (New Bay) by two lengths, while Saddadd (Pinatubo) completed a clean sweep for the visiting raiders by finishing third.

The disappointment of the race came from heavy favorite Minnie Hauk (Frankel), multiple Group 1 winner and runner-up to Daryz in the most recent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), who never managed to impose her class and faded to a modest fourth.

Almaqam’s achievement became even more impressive considering he arrived without a prep race, the only runner in the field making his seasonal debut directly in such a demanding contest.

Far from showing rust, he flourished.

Last season he had already hinted he belonged among Europe’s elite when finishing third behind Calandagan in the Champion Stakes (G1), though his campaign had been managed with extreme patience and caution.

Now, it appears the time has come to reap the rewards.

With Kieran Shoemark aboard, the bay did not break perfectly from stall seven but quickly secured a comfortable stalking position near pace-setter Edward Hamilton (Frankel).

When Shoemark finally asked him for his effort approaching the final 400 meters, the response proved devastating.

Bay City Roller attempted to match the initial acceleration and for a brief moment looked capable of sustaining the challenge.

But Almaqam still had another gear.

Inside the closing stages he surged away again with commanding authority, sealing a victory that instantly places him among Europe’s leading middle-distance horses.

“Maybe people were getting tired of hearing me talk so highly of him without him fully delivering, but hopefully this will finally be his year,” admitted Walker afterward.

And the trainer made no effort to hide his ambition.

“It’s an incredibly strong division with Calandagan, Daryz, and Ombudsman, but he’s won a major race now and we hope there’s much more to come.”

Walker also explained that the stable deliberately changed its strategy with the colt compared to previous seasons.

“With Sheikh Ahmed’s team we promised ourselves we’d be more aggressive regarding ground conditions. In 2025 we were too cautious, and at that stage he was still a big, heavy, immature horse. Now he’s more mature and we can be bolder.”

The trainer even left the door open for much bigger targets ahead.

Royal Ascot and the Eclipse Stakes (G1) already loom on the immediate horizon.

“We beat Ombudsman before. Then he beat us at Ascot, just like Calandagan did. But this horse weighs 550 kilos and maybe only now is he reaching his best version.”

For Shoemark, the triumph also carried personal significance.

The jockey had endured criticism following his defeat aboard Emily Upjohn (Frankel) in the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at The Curragh two years ago, and this success served as a powerful form of redemption.

“He’s a very relaxed horse and Kieran gave him a perfect ride,” Walker emphasized. “It’s a huge relief because I’ve been talking wonders about him for a long time and now he finally got the chance to prove it.”

Europe has a major new name within its elite.

And judging by the way Almaqam won, it feels very much as though this story is only beginning.