Harrington newcomer wins on debut

The Jessica Harrington trained newcomer Dame Lucy ran out the winner of the peculiar Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at The Curragh today, coming from well off the pace to win under Shane Foley.

Rip Van Winkle's sister A Star Is Born set off at a frantic early pace in a bit for an elusive maiden win but was quickly headed by Laviniad (ponied to the start) in the straight. Laviniad, the 2/1 favourite, was matched at 1.06 on one exchange when well clear with a furlong to race but folded tamely inside the final furlong as Dame Lucy arrived from way off the pace to defeat Silky Pryus by three parts of a length.

Afterwards Foley stated “she's a nice filly and should improve; I rode her at home and liked her. They went very fast and she was very green early but stayed galloping when the horse in front (Laviniad) stopped.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson