Irish trained sprinters have suffered many defeats on home-soil over the years but the Michael Halford trained Invincible Ash restored some pride when winning the Group 3 Woodies DIY Sapphire Stakes at The Curragh today.

Invincible Ash, under Gary Carroll, was patiently ridden before eventually getting her head in front close home for a length win over Hamish McGonagall After ards Halford, whose Snaefell in 2007 was the last Irish winner of the race, stated “I though they’d go very very fast and told Gary to ride her like a non-trier in the early stages. In the end, they flew in front and Gary gave her a peach of a ride to win.”

“I thought she was in good form but wasn’t too confident beforehand and especially on Friday when I saw all the rain. However the sun on her back and the drying ground helped considerably and she deserved today’s win.”

Thomas Weekes