Nephrite breaks his maiden in the very first opportunity at the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden
The two-year-old Nephrite, out of Pivotal and Cape Merino, had glowing chances at the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden, that he actualised by not only winning the race and breaking his maiden, but also ending up coming at par with his trainer
A P O’Brien’s expectations.
Not all the horses get a chance of breaking their maiden right away in their first race but this is exactly what Nephrite achieved on 25th September.
His career winnings, from just his very first win, are £10,112. His jockey for the Curragh race was J P O’Brien.
The European Breeders Fund Maiden included entries of twenty three different horses.
Besides the winning entry, A P O’Brien was also being represented by Lanett Lady who came fourth in the race so, all in all, it was not the least bit disappointing race for the proud trainer.
Nephrite, with J P O’Brien, tracked the leaders on the stands’ side and was chasing fourth by the second furlong out.
He soon went headway, very smoothly, to lead one furlong out and did not let go off his established speed when he was in the final furlong, going through the wire with ease.
The winning trainer said, "First time in that ground you couldn't be sure, but he got through it”.
The second in lead was Kevin Prendergast’s Big Blue Spirit who was being ridden by D P McDonogh.
Big Blue Spirit tracked leaders and geared up, which made him second in lead, one furlong out, but it soon became quite evident that the chances of overriding the winner were long gone, yet, he kept up with his speed.
To mark the third position in the race was Bird’s Eye View with trainer T Stack and jockey W M Lordan.
The connections do have future milestones set for Nephrite and thus the trainer explained, "He was just ready to start and was working nicely at home. He could be a horse for something like the Group Three Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown at the end of
October”.
In case Nephrite does go for the Killavullan Stakes, there would be one amazing set of talent to counter and the victory just might not repeat itself again but this will be disclosed after the race only.
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