Minaun makes her mark in Marble Hill

De Bromhead predicts bright future for Cork winner.

Henry de Bromhead is better known for his exploits at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals, but he showed his versatility when winning his first Group race on the level as Minaun caused a surprise in the Marble Hill Stakes at Cork.

Only four went to post in the Group Three and one of those, Ger Lyons’ Shalaalaa, became very upset in the stalls, compromising his chance.

Aidan O’Brien’s Military Style, a winner on debut, was sent off the 4-9 favourite to remain unbeaten but he could only finish third.

It was left to Minaun (9-1) and Paddy Twomey’s Arctician to fight out the finish, with Chris Hayes’ mount coming out on top by a neck.

It was a profitable day for Hayes who also won aboard Miss Amulet (5-2), Starlite Dancer (15-2) and Too Soon To Panic (9-4).

“I’m delighted with her, we’ve always really liked her and she is a lovely filly. Cormac Farrell recommended her for us back in March,” said De Bromhead.

“I’m delighted for her owner Steve McCarthy and it is his and my first Group winner on the Flat. He previously had Aerclub (sold to Hong Kong) with us and we replaced him with this lady and she looks an able deputy.

“Hopefully she will keep progressing and Chris really liked her. She will definitely stay further.

“She has a Moyglare entry and is growing and maturing all the time so we won’t be in a mad panic to go anywhere.”

Twomey did not have to wait long for compensation as Sonaiyla (12-1) won on her first start for the yard in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sweet Mimosa Stakes.

Bought for 110,000 euro out of Mick Halford’s yard, she is from a good Aga Khan family and is now a valuable proposition with a Listed win on her record.

“We ran against her once at Leopardstown last year and I was very impressed by her,” said Twomey.

“Ruairi O’Coileain, of Ennistown Stud, was my first outside owner and when I saw this filly catalogued at the sales, I told him ‘I’d like you to buy this filly’.

“To be fair to him he did and I’m delighted to get today’s result and I’d like to say a special thanks to Ruairi.

“She is a very well bred filly and has Sinndar’s pedigree and has now won her stakes race so we’ll try to get a Group race next.”

Snow, a full-sister to Kew Gardens, looks another improving filly for O’Brien after relishing the step up in trip to win the Munster Oaks.

The 11-4 favourite looked vulnerable as Snapraeceps came out of the pack to challenge, but the daughter of Galileo picked up and went again.

Wayne Lordan was on board and said: “She’s a lovely, straightforward filly. She’s stepping up as she’s going up in trip. It feels like she’s improving.

“She stayed well and is a sister to Kew Gardens, so the extra trip is a huge help.”

At Fairyhouse, Shane Crosse excelled once again on Joseph O’Brien’s Speak In Colours (11-8 favourite) in the Rybo Ballycorus Stakes.

Just seven days on from winning the Greenlands Stakes, the five-year-old scored for the first time over seven furlongs.

Two furlongs out Crosse was behind a wall of horses but got a dream run through to beat Gustavus Weston by two and a quarter lengths.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “Shane said all the splits came and he was travelling great the whole way.

“That’s his first (win) over seven. He was down in grade a bit, but he couldn’t have done it any easier. He must have the constitution of a lion as he’s raced four weeks in a row and been to Ascot as well.

“It was a good bit of placing and a lovely ride too. He’s a star to have in the yard.”

Lyons celebrated saddling a winner at the first attempt in the famous Moyglare Stud colours as Reve De Vol (7-2) was awarded the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden by the stewards.

Aidan O’Brien’s Ontario (11-10 favourite) was first past the post but in the closing stages he veered left, taking Reve De Vol with him, and as the winning distance was only a short head the decision was taken to reverse the placings.

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