Lady Of Inishfree and Chris Hayes (left) beat Corporal Violette © Photo Healy Racing
The market principals came to the fore in the valuable Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final with Lady Of Inishfree (7/2) coming out on top under Chris Hayes (double after Pearle D'or in the previous contest).
The daughter of Farhh, fourth in Listed company on her previous start at Leopardstown, tracked the leaders before challenging on the stands’ side in the straight.
Hitting the front a furlong out, the winner was followed through by the 11/4 favourite Corporal Violette but kept on well to hold that one at bay by half a length. Seeingisbelieving (11/1) was a further two and a half lengths away in third place.
Winning trainer Noel Meade said: “We’ve loved her all along and that’s why we ran her in the Stakes race. I think she’s very good and she’ll be better on better ground.
“There is no question in my mind that she is a Stakes filly.
“She was eligible for this race and was getting into it well so we had to have it in mind. The prize-money is very good.
“She won’t run again this season and there is a chance that she could be sold. If we have her next year hopefully she will go for good races.
“One of the owners, Eoin Banville, is in hospital at the moment after getting a kick and knocking the top off his thumb. It’s after getting infected so this will give him a bit of a lift.
“We were beaten a short-head with Layfayette in this race two years ago so it’s nice to win it.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
