Sapphire closes Curragh season

Sapphire made it opening day and closing day wins at the Curragh when landing the Go Racing In Kildare Finale Stakes.

Pat Smullen gave the Moyglare filly a confident ride in the Listed contest, travelling well to hit the front over two furlongs from home.

Dermot Weld 's charge pulled away in good fashion in the closing stages to post a four-and-three-quarter length success over Kissable

The winner had opened her account here on the first day of the season and was recording her third success of the year.

"She won here in March on the first day and has now won on the last day," said Weld afterwards.

"She's been a lovely filly to train all year and has run genuinely and consistently all year.

"It's lovely after she was Group 2 placed last time to come and win today. I got the feeling last time that she would stay a mile-and-a-half.

"She's a filly to look forward to next year. I had looked at the (Grade 1) EP Taylor Stakes (at Woodbine) next Sunday for her but it comes too soon and that'll be it for the year.

"She has a lot of physical development in her and hopefully she'll be a replacement for Profound Beauty.

"She's like a little ease in the ground but has also won when it was pretty fast."

Gary Carson