Verhoyen and Billy Lee (inside) get the better of Above Us Only Sky and Shane Foley© Photo Healy Racing
Verhoyen finally made the breakthrough on his eleventh start, as he just prevailed in the opener at Dundalk this afternoon, the Dundalk Stadium Business Club 2018 Maiden.
Second in a Listed contest at Naas last May, the Michael Grassick trained son of Piccolo was a beaten favourite on two occasions since, finishing twelfth on his last start in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Race Final in October.
Gelded since that run, the bay victor opened on-course at 11/8 this afternoon, coming in for plenty of market support, eventually going off the even money favourite.
Prominent throughout under Billy Lee, he held a definite advantage early in the straight, but was tackled on the outer by Above Us Only Sky (4s to 3s on-course) from over a furlong out.
The duo had a good battle inside the final furlong, with just a head separating them at the line.
Shane Foley was aboard the runner-up for Charles O'Brien, while the easy to back California Yoohoo (15/8 out to 3/1) was another four and a quarter lengths back in third.
Grassick said afterwards: "That's a relief and it's been overdue. The plan was to go for a maiden at Navan in three weeks but we saw this extra race put on. He'd been working well at home with Texas Rock and we said we'd put him in and have a look.
"It looked a good opportunity and is a Plus 10 Race as well so it’s a nice payday. Billy said he was idling in front and got a bit tired but he battled well.
"We can go where we like with him now and have a bit of fun for the summer. He needs to be getting a lead off a fast pace probably over six or seven furlongs, and could go for something like the Madrid Handicap at Naas.
"That's Paul's (Cullen) first winner in those colours. They used to be Albert Finney's colours.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
