Gold Fairy making the Concorde Stakes her own
Yulong Gold Fairy (Kevin Manning) beats Imaging (Oisin Orr)
© Photo Healy Racing
The Group Three Coolmore Stud Home Of Champions Concorde Stakes at Tipperary went for the second year running to Yulong Gold Fairy
She was having her first start for Jim Bolger on this occasion having triumphed in the extended seven furlong heat in 2018 for Dermot Weld.
This time she consigned a Weld runner to the runner-up spot, beating Rosewell House’s favourite Imaging by three parts of a length.
The successful daughter of Mount Nelson was brave under Kevin Manning, overcoming a smack on the muzzle from a rival rider’s whip around a furlong and a half out. Crafty Madam stayed on down the outer to finish another three parts of a length back in third.
"It went pretty straightforward from flag-fall and it was my first time to ride her. It was her first time running for the yard and she was a very very good filly before and loves that ground," said Manning.
"She did it very well and seems to handle the ground well. She was very straightforward."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Dubai Dominion (GB), trained by Ed Vaughan (in GB), at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
G.P. Halpin, rider of Black Magic Woman trained by Jack W. Davison, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle todays ground.
The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Imaging (GB), ridden by O.J. Orr, placed second and Yulong Gold Fairy (GB), ridden by K.J. Manning, placed first, where it appeared that O. J. Orr struck K. J. Manning's mount across the head with his whip. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the incident was accidental and took no further action.
(TW & EM)