My Special J's (nearside) holds on to beat Harasiya© Photo Healy Racing
Pat Shanahan has made a great start to his training career this season, and the former Irish Derby winning rider recorded his first Stakes race success since taking out a licence earlier this year when My Special J’s upset hotpot Harasiya in the Group 2 Keeneland Debutante Stakes.
The American bred daughter of Harlan’s Holiday was soundly beaten by the same rival on similar soft ground at Leopardstown last month but Colm O’Donoghue’s mount turned that form around in this seven furlongs event.
The 12/1 chance was sent to the front fully two furlongs out, and dug deep in the closing stages to hold off the 2/5 favourite by a neck with Diamond Sky two and a half lengths further adrift in third.
Shanahan said, “I knew she was in super form, and she did a bit of work yesterday morning that I was thrilled with. I felt she had definitely come on 7lb, although I wasn’t happy to see the rain.
“We will give her a little break now as she has had three hard races, and she will probably go for the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp (on Arc day).
“She’s American bred so we’re hoping she will go on better ground. Jimmy (Long) is a super man to train for and he just lets me get on with things. He’s based in Dubai, so she could end up there over the winter.”
Boylesports introduce the winner at 33/1 for next year's 1,000 Guineas, while Paddy Power go 25's.
