Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Babouche impresses in winning debut at Cork
John O'Riordan
Babouche impresses in winning debut at Cork
Babouche and Colin Keane.
© Photo Healy Racing
The Ger Lyons trained Babouche made an impressive winning debut when staying on strongly to easily land the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Cork.
A full-sister to the stables Group 2 winner Zarinsk, the Juddmonte owned daughter of Kodiac had clearly been showing plenty at home, given she holds entries in some of the big juvenile races later in the season.
Smartly into stride under Colin Keane, the 5/6f led a small group on the far side, as the majority of the runners came stands side.
At the halfway point, Keane had stretched clear of his own group but No Straight Swaps and Marys Not Contrary appeared to be very much in contention on the near side.
However, over two furlongs out, Babouche opened up down the centre of the track, quickly sprinting clear to score by five lengths.
Assistant Trainer Shane Lyons said: "She is a nice filly, is obviously well related and had been doing everything nicely at home. She has had to do it the hard way which wasn't fair on her but in fairness, she did it with her ears pricked. Colin was brilliant on her as he didn't take any chances.
"We'll see how she comes on - she'll tell us, and she is in the Balanchine (Airlie Stud) Stakes in two weeks time. We'll speak to Barry (Mahon, racing manager) and the family and will fill them in on how she is.
"It was her first time ever seeing grass, we like her, she'll come on immensely and we'll let her do the talking."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.