Know It All success one to savour for Ben Coen at Leopardstown

Alan Magee
July 1, 2020 7:15 pm

Good run continues for jockey and winning trainer Johnny Murtagh.

Jockey Ben Coen registered the biggest success of his career as he triumphed aboard Know It All in the Derrinstown Stud Fillies Stakes at Leopardstown.

Coen – who along with winning trainer Johnny Murtagh has been in flying form since racing’s resumption – oozed confidence throughout the Group Three contest.

Owned by Qatar Racing, Know It All had finished second at the same level on her previous start this year and stamped her authority on this latest assignment.

Sent off a 3-1 chance, the three-year-old hit the front a furlong out and only had to be pushed out to beat Celestial Object by two and a quarter lengths, with Ridenza catching the eye in third.

“She seemed to have come forward from her last run, judged by her work, and Ben was very happy with her coming here,” said Murtagh.

“I thought she’d take a bit of beating and thankfully she’s done it like that. She’s an exciting filly and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.

“Sheikh Fahad was on the phone and is very happy, so I’ll speak to him and see what we’re going to do. She has some big entries and hopefully she’ll be able to fulfil them.

“I think seven (furlongs) or a mile is good. She has plenty of pace and travels really well.”

While Mick Halford had to settle for third with the promising Ridenza, his Sinawann paid a handsome compliment to Siskin by winning the other Group Three of the night, the Amethyst Stakes.

Sixth behind Ger Lyons’ star in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Aga Khan-owned colt found the slight drop in class much more to his liking.

The winning distance of a length over Confidence High does not quite do justice to his superiority, as Ronan Whelan only had to get busy in the final half a furlong.

He had cruised into the lead and it looked as if he could win on the bridle before he got tired close home as the 6-5 favourite.

“We’re delighted to get him back on the winning trail and he loved that ground and trip today,” said Halford.

“It probably didn’t suit him being lonely out in front. He’d been very lazy at home, but he’d always stay going when he hears a horse coming to him. We wouldn’t be riding him to sprint.

“I’ve nothing in particular in mind for him. He was better for the run in the Guineas.

“We’ll have to see if he can go further. He has nice pace, travels well and he stays.”

Murtagh later doubled up when Red Kelly produced a devastating display in winning the Leopardstown Holden Plant Rentals Handicap by seven lengths.

The 11-8 favourite had last been seen in a maiden which contained the subsequent Irish Derby second, third and fourth in the shape of Tiger Moth, Dawn Patrol and Order Of Australia, as well as this weekend’s Epsom contender Amhran Na Bhfiann.

Murtagh said: “His work has really stepped forward in the last few weeks. Shane (B Kelly) was very happy with him after his run here and when you look at the form it was one of the best maidens run this year.

“We put blinkers on him the other day and he worked really well with horses that have been winning. His owner Dermot Cantillon was with me when he was working so he was happy.

“Hopefully he can progress through the ranks.”