Bremen makes it three in-a-row for Donnacha O'Brien

Donnacha O'Brien claimed the Killarney July Festival opener, the Irish Stallions Farms EBF 2yo Maiden, for the third year in-a-row, with his Bremen justifying 4/5 favouritism.

Out of three-time Australian Group 1 winner Sea Siren, the bay victor is a brother to recent Ribblesdale Stakes winner Warm Heart.

Beaten by just a neck on debut at Tipperary earlier this month, the son of Galileo was widely expected to go a place better this evening.

After breaking smartly to lead, Gavin Ryan soon settled his mount behind the leaders and was fourth halfway.

Pushed along to take closer order from early in the straight, he disputed the lead over a furlong from home and soon edged to the front, keeping on well under pressure in the closing stages to score by a length-and-three-parts.

The well-backed Thor's Hammer (8/1 from 50s early) finished a gallant second, while Gandolfo (33/1) was just a neck away in third, finishing out his race well under Chris Hayes.

"We went to Tipperary with him the first day, we've always liked him on his homework but we weren't sure what he was,” said Ryan.

"He showed a real nice turn of foot that day in Tipp, he quickened off a slow pace from out the back and we knew coming here today that we had a good horse.

"Leigh (Roche) was pretty keen on getting on with things early on, so I said if I could get a lead I might as well take it. It's a long way up this straight and it's pretty daunting for two-year-olds.

"He's probably a horse that's only ever going to do enough, he's never going to be a horse that works real well at home or wins real well at the track.

"He always just does enough, he has a real genuine side to him. It's hard to say (how good he will be) but he's done that very pleasingly. Only time will tell.

"It's a lovely track down here, especially for those horses that will want to go a bit further next year. It's a track that you can really let them down and find a bit out about them.

"They always do very well with the ground here and he (Donnacha) is never afraid to send a nice one."

STEWARDS REPORTS

N.M. Crosse, rider of Bladon trained by Kevin Thomas Coleman, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount reared up as the starting stalls opened.

S. Foley, rider of Kinesiology (GB), trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away from the starting stalls and ran green thereafter.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson