The Michael O’Callaghan trained Holy Cat made a taking winning debut in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown today, in the process landing a gamble under jockey Colin Keane.

The daughter of Kitten’s Joy was a general 10/1 chance this morning and opened 7/1 on track before late money moved her to 11/4 clear favourite in the 13 runner race. In the race, Holy Cat was produced by Keane to lead a furlong out before streaking clear for a four and three parts of a length win over Alphabet

Afterwards O’Callaghan stated “that didn’t surprise me, and she’s a very good filly who has never come off the bridle at home. She came from the Breeze Ups, and got an entry in the Cheveley Park Stakes yesterday.

“She’s probably my best two-year-old at the moment and she is going to improve and is very professional. I don’t know how far she will get but I’m delighted to have another winner for Sheikh Fahad (Qatar Racing Limited). He obviously has a big team of horses so we will have to see where she fits into his plans.

“The Cheveley Park is the only big entry she has at the moment, and ideally she could have another run before going for that.

“We’ll see how she comes out of this race, and she could drop back to five furlongs or go up to seven.”

Holy Cat was later introduced to the market for the English 1,000 Guineas at 25/1 by both Boylesports and Betfair.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee