Sacred springs 16/1 surprise for Condon

The opening race at Leopardstown this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 2yo Auction Maiden, went to the Ken Condon trained, Shane Foley ridden, Sacred Aspect

The grey Haatef filly had one run to her name before today, finishing sixth to Focus On Venice over the course and distance last month.

Having raced in second for much of the contest, she ranged alongside the front running Ealain Aibrean two furlongs out.

After a good battle between the pair Sacred Aspect gained the upper hand well inside the final furlong and she went on to score by a neck at the odds of 16/1

Ealain Aibrean had to settle for second under Leigh Roche for Dermot Weld at 9/4 while Heart Focus was a further length and a quarter back in third for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.

The Ger Lyons trained newcomer Third Dimension was the one for money and having opened this morning at 11/2, he opened on-course at just 3/1 before being backed into 7/4 favouritism at the off.

Ridden by Gary Carroll he was slowly into stride and never looked like winning, trailing home in fifth.

Winning trainer Ken Condon, who trains Sacred Aspect for his wife Pauline, said afterwards: "The first day she ran I asked the other trainers about their horses and they all liked theirs.

"Shane (Foley) said to me that she would prefer an even stronger pace. She is going the right way and I’ll let her take her chance in a Listed race at Naas on June 3rd.

"I’m very pleased with her. She has a bit of size and scope and she will get better with more races. She will get seven furlongs."

The winner cost just €7,500 at Tattersalls Ireland September Yearlings Sale last year and she is a half-sister to four time winner Super Say.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham