The Euphrates and Bill Lee (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Bill Lee completed a Gowran double today when taking an opportunity for Ballydoyle in the inaugural running of the featured Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Marble City Stakes, winning on The Euphrates (6/4f).
Lee partnered a first winner for Aidan O'Brien on maiden Exactly on July 11 and today capitalised on a busy day for the champion trainer, whose principal jockeys were at Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and thus filled-in on The Euphrates.
The Frankel-sired winner made all the running and while strongly pressed in the final furlong, defeated this season's earlier Gowran Classic winner Kinesoilogy by a half-length.
O'Brien attended Ascot and his representative Chris Armstrong reported “Billy gave him a lovely ride, he kept it straightforward, uncomplicated, and let him find his own rhythm and just dictate his own terms.
“He ran well enough in the Irish Derby and finished off nicely and obviously it was a drop in class so it will be a nice confidence booster for him.
“We might have a look at putting him in the Voltigeur next at York and see if he turns into a Leger horse. Billy said there is no problem, he can go up in trip and is very uncomplicated.
“We'll just let him go back up now into group company. It's a nice win to get next to him.”
Jockey Lee had earlier won on the Pat Flynn-trained Harriet Eagle
Quotes from Gary Carson
