Back to back Munster Oaks for Rosscarbery

Rosscarberry made it back to back Munster Oaks wins when repelling the late challenge of Azazat to follow up her win in the 2022 renewal for Paddy Twomey and Billy Lee.

The five-year-old, making her seasonal debut, was also carrying the colours of leading owner Lady Bamford for the first time.

Travelling easily in mid division during the early part of the race, Lee edged closer entering the straight, heading stablemate Final Gesture over 2f out. Soon pushed clear, the Paddy Twomey trained mare looked to have the race secured only for Azazat to close at the furlong pole.

Lee had to get more serious on Rosscarberry once challenged by the Dermot Weld trained runner-up but he was always holding the Camelot three-year-old, pulling ahead close home to win with a bit in hand.

A stewards enquiry was called post race involving the winner who drifted to her left inside the last 150 yards but the placing remained unaltered.

Winning trainer Paddy Twomey added: "She was great last year, danced every dance and when the new owners asked me to take her back in January, it wasn't a hard decision.

"She won five times last year and was second, third, fourth and fifth in Group 1s and has a high level of form. She gave Emily Dickinson 17lbs in Leopardstown last year and beat her.

"We didn't think past today but she will have entries in all the good races. Lady Bamford has a very good filly (Soul Sister) which won the Oaks last week so I'm sure she'd like them to stay apart.

"I'd love the idea of going to Santa Anita (for the Breeders Cup) in November. She was ready to start today and has done very well and I think she'll improve. She's had a good time."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes