Smiles all round as Gregarina wins on first start for Joseph O'Brien

Battered and bruised (stitches on his nose) after taking a tumble following race one on the card, Dylan Browne McMonagle was still more than capable of delivering Gregarina to make a winning stable debut in the Group Three Coolmore Stud Little Big Bear Irish EBF Athasi Stakes at the Curragh.

For the fillies and mares this seven furlong event saw the 16/1 scorer beginning life with Joseph O'Brien after fifteen previous races, predominantly in her native France, and she was settled beautifully out the back by Browne McMonagle, switching about to come through with her effort in the final quarter mile.

She got there at the death to touch off You Send Me by a head.

Not surprisingly O'Brien hailed Browne McMonagle's efforts in the plate, stating: “It was a fantastic ride. She was quite a hard puller in her races in France and we just had the objective today of getting her settled. We didn’t want her over-racing on her first run of the season and she switched off lovely.

“I was surprised with the kick she showed, it really was very impressive visually. It was a cool, patient ride from Dylan.

“She will either come back here for the fillies race on Guineas weekend or more likely go straight to Ascot for the mile Group 2, Duke Of Cambridge.”

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Jumbly (GB), trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(AM & EM)