Lord Massusus records career best in Desmond Stakes

The Joseph Murphy trained Lord Massusus recorded the biggest success of his career to date when upsetting some better fancied rivals to win Group 3 Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown.

Twice a winner as a two-year-old last season, the Markaz gelding started the new campaign with an easy win in a Conditions Race at Gowran Park in April.

The gelding then followed that up with an impressive weight carrying performance under 10-00 in a premier handicap at Naas the following month.

After a short break. the Murphy trained three-year-old then reappeared in Listed company at the Curragh last month, where he appeared to have reached a ceiling in finishing fourth. Seventh of 10 at Leopardstown last time, offered little encouragement of a breakthrough in black type company.

However, Lord Massusus looked a different horse here, travelling well in rear for the first few furlongs, before making ground easily turning into the straight. Pushed along to get closer over a furlong out, Carroll produced his mount to head Alfred Munnings over 100 yards out before keeping on well.

Joseph Murphy said:- “We were disappointed the last day but things didn't go right for him, he pulled too hard.

“We got him switched off today, he came home well and a fast pace suited him. He won like a good horse, I thought it was a good performance.

“That's what he was showing us when we supplemented him for the Minstrel Stakes.

“That's his fifth win now. There is a little bit of ease in the ground today, the day he ran in the Listed race and was running on well (fourth in the Celebration Stakes) it was good so he's versatile.

“He has a low action so good ground makes no difference.

“We'll look forward to the big meeting now, he'll go for the Dullingham Park Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.