'Madam' Violet shows her ability

Despite getting loose at the start and then being troublesome in the stalls, Violet Lashes still managed to claim the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden for her trainer Jessica Harrington with Fran Berry in the saddle.

The daughter of Badge Of Silver was well fancied to finally lose her maiden tag this evening on her sixth career start.

She had put in some excellent efforts in defeat, including finishing second just a length and a half behind the smart Kissed on her second start at Navan in October of last year.

She has raced three times this season as a 3yo and having failed to score on her first two efforts in maiden company she was tried at Listed class last time out in the Salsibil Stakes at Navan where she finished fourth of five again behind Kissed.

Reverting back to maiden company today she hit the front early on before being headed.

She then took up the lead again with two furlongs left to race and she kicked on inside the final furlong to score in convincing fashion by four lengths at the odds of 5/4 favourite (drifted from 8/11). Dougal Philps for Willie Mullins and Pat Smullen finished second after being well backed from 11/4 into 11/8 on course while the Tracy Collins trained Bubblesforbarbara was a further four and a half lengths back in third at 9/2 having being backed from her opening show of 8/1.

Jessica Harrington, speaking via the phone, said afterwards: "I was a bit worried beforehand but she is just a madam.

"I’m delighted today was her day and I’m glad she got through. She won very well and seems to stay and I’m not very worried after today."

The winner was purchased for $120,000 US Dollars at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2010 by Ben McElroy.

Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes