Banimpire and her connections gained a measure of compensation for her narrow defeat in the Irish Oaks when proving too strong for her five rivals in the Group 2 Keeneland Royal Whip Stakes at The Curragh this afternoon.

Ridden by Kevin Manning, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor moved to the front over a furlong out, and while she edged towards the running rail, stayed on well to defeat Dunboyne Express

Afterwards winning trainer Jim Bolger said “Banimpire will go for the Prix De L’Opera at Longchamp next and there’s a big possibility she will stay in training next year.”

Thomas Weekes