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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Kitty Rose has 1,000 Guineas aim after Ingabelle success

Sat 9th Sep 2023, 14:18

Kitty Rose wins by two and a-half lengthsKitty Rose wins by two and a-half lengths
© Photo Healy Racing

Kitty Rose confirmed herself to be a filly with considerable ability as she made it two from two in the Listed Ingabelle Stakes over an extended seven furlongs at Leopardstown, the opening race of Irish Champions Festival.

Natalia Lupini 's charge made a taking debut at Naas last month and doubtless went into plenty of notebooks.

The imposing daughter of Invincible Army raced prominently under Billy Lee and tracked the leader, and 13/8 favourite, Content before the halfway stage.

The front two separated themselves from the remainder entering the final quarter of a mile and Kitty Rose claimed Content approaching the final furlong.

She began to assert inside the final 200 yards and ran on powerfully to beat Content by two and a-half lengths at 3/1. Serious Notions (28/1) kept on for third, half a length away.

Lupini said: “She's a big honest filly and when she gets into a rhythm she gallops towards the line and she gives it all.

“We always thought we had a nice filly on our hands. Obviously, first-time out you hope everything goes well, we were hoping for a nice run but she won impressively at Naas.

“Today she was very impressive again, when she picks up she just keeps galloping and she's very honest.

“The lads are looking at the Guineas with her, next year she'll be a stronger filly. She won't have any problems over a mile as well.

“This is a great achievement for everyone, for the lads working in the yard and for the owners as well. Everyone puts in so much effort, so it's great for everyone to have a winner on a day like this.

“We'll see how she comes out of this race and talk to the owners and see what they would like to do.

“We would like to give her a bit of time in the winter to fill out, she's a big filly and she will benefit for a winter break as well.

“She'll be a nice three-year-old and we're looking forward to having her next year, hopefully we'll have her.

When asked if she is the best she has trained she added: “Possibly, she is actually!

“The owners have been buying nice horses and have been supporting us. It's great for them to have a winner on a big day like this and fair play to them for keeping (her) for this day.”

Paddy Power gave Kitty Rose a first show of 25/1 for the 1,000 Guineas.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
3/1
Tote €4.20 €1.60
2nd
2.5L
13/8Fav
€1.40
3rd
0.5L
28/1
€6.90
4th
1.25L
11/2
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.