War Secretary and Donnacha O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Ballydoyle's War Secretary had the know how, after a debut run 157 days back, and that was instrumental as he beat his stable companion Homesman in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at Dundalk.
Both these are sons of War Front, and Donnacha O'Brien's mount was always on the gallop and he asserted from the furlong pole in his first-time tongue-strap.
Meanwhile Homesman was too green to do himself justice having his first taster of racecourse action under Seamie Heffernan.
There was no disguising the promise he showed from over a furlong out though, as he stayed on to be three and a quarter lengths off War Secretary at the line.
"He's a gorgeous looking big horse. On his homework he was probably very similar to Seamus' horse but he had that bit of experience which probably paid," reported the winning rider.
"Their first run is all about education, especially him as he's a big gross horse. The form has worked out very well.
"There is plenty of size and scope with him and he should improve with every run. I got a grand lead into the race, a nice target, and he quickened up nicely when I asked him to go about his business. He won't have any trouble getting further."
W.J. Lee, rider of Diarist (USA) trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount missed the break.
(GC & EM)
