A payout scrum as favourite Cosmic Horizon obliges

Cosmic Horizon was a ready winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race in Roscommon.

Joseph O'Brien 's colt, who is owned by Irish Rugby coach Joe Schmidt, got off the mark on the third attempt.

The 7/4 favourite tracked Copia Verborum before assuming the lead with less than a quarter of a mile to race.

He was ridden to assert passing the furlong marker and maintained the gallop to score by two and a quarter lengths. Dark Conqueror took the runner-up berth at 3/1, the same distance ahead of Copia Verborum (9/2).

Jockey Donnacha O'Brien said: "It was a good performance and it wasn't a bad race. He was unlucky at Galway the last day and it's nice to get a win into him.

"Joe (Schmidt) was in Galway the last day but isn't here today. Joe is good friends of ours and it's nice to get a winner for him. I think he has an interest - Joseph (O'Brien) would tell you more but you'd never know he could get another horse and I think he enjoys going racing."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes