The opening race on the final day of the Killarney August Festival, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2yo Maiden, went the way of the Jessica Harrington trained newcomer Hurricane Ridge with Fran Berry aboard.
Having opened at 6/1 this morning the winner, who fetched 19,000 guineas as a yearling, was well supported thereafter and was sent off the 9/4 favourite. However some of his price shortening can be attributed to the fact, the likely favourite Outback was an early non-runner.
The winning son of Hurricane Run tracked the leaders in fourth in the early stages before being niggled along into second two furlongs out. He stayed on well in the final furlong to lead in the closing stages beating Fort Sam Houston (11/4) for Aidan O'Brien into second by three parts of a length.
The other Ballydoyle trained horse Wimpole Street (4/1), who was making his debut, ran a nice race to finish just a neck back in third.
Winning rider Fran Berry said afterwards: "I'm delighted with him. He did a good bit of work last Friday. We were waiting for safe ground for him. He was a bit green but he did it well once the penny dropped."
Donal Murphy
