Murtagh's 'millionaire' wins Lanwades Stakes

Million pounds filly Purr Along made a winning debut for new trainer Johnny Murtagh when landing the Group 3 Lanwades Stud Stakes at The Curragh today, under a fine waiting ride from Jamie Spencer.

Spencer is well known for his patient approach and gradually improved Purr Along's position from the rear to eventually move to the front inside the final furlong for a neck win over Fiesolana

The winner, returned at 20/1 (and 60/1 on Betfair), was bought out of William Muir's yard for a cool 1,000,000Gns last December and following today's win, Murtagh stated “we always thought a lot of her and she came to us with a big reputation.

“She was ready earlier in the year and was going very well in the spring but then had a few little hold ups and we had to be patient with her. It paid off though and Jamie gave her a lovely ride.

“I didn't know whether she would handle conditions but she had worked well on soft ground the other day and it was worth taking a chance as there was nowhere else to run her.

“She 'll go for the Windsor Forest now and she needed to run before that. Jamie (Spencer) says she is a filly that needed confidence and gained plenty today.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson