Carpathia to the rescue of bookmakers

The Kevin Prendergast trained Carpathia caused a 14/1 upset when making a fine winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden at Dundalk this evening, scoring under substitute Sam James.

The gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor stayed on well in the straight and, once he got a split along the rail in the straight, quickened well to eventually defeat 98 rated but easy to back 9/2 chance Tiger Stripes

Afterwards winning jockey James, who was replacing injured Declan McDonogh (had a fall on the gallops this morning but his injury isn't thought to be serious) was in devilishly sympathetic mood and joked “poor old Declan wont be happy!

“Carpathia knew his job and he was going really well in behind the leaders early on. They were going a bit slowly for me so he was a bit keen and I was just waiting for the gap and away he went.”

Winning owner Norman Ormiston, from Kells, added “I bred him myself and Kevin (Prendergast) thought he was a good horse and he proved that tonight. If a race presents himself, we might run again but if not, he'll be campaigned as a three year old.”