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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Well-backed Terrific takes the opener

Sun 11th Aug 2013, 14:32

Terrific proves too good for GorteoTerrific proves too good for Gorteo
© Photo Healy Racing

Terrific who cost 1,300,000 Guineas at Tattersalls last October, got off the mark on the second time of asking, as she took the opener at the Curragh, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, for Joseph and Aidan O’Brien.

The bay daughter of Galileo finished twelfth of sixteen on her debut over the course on Derby weekend, over twelve lengths behind the winner Avenue Gabriel

Her initial effort came over seven furlongs, and upped in trip to a mile, and fitted with blinkers for the first time, she went off the well-supported 9/4 second favourite (4/1 this morning and opened at 7/2 on-course).

The full-sister to Together (won a Group 1 in America for O’Brien), made virtually all today, kicking for home two furlongs out, and staying on well inside the final furlong to see off the challenge of the 2/1 favourite, Gorteo and Johnny Murtagh, by half a length.

Afternoon Delight (11/2) ran a nice race on her debut, completing the placings five lengths back under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: "She was very green on her debut, that’s why she wore blinkers today.

"She was unusually green, and she tried to stop in the middle of the race, she must have spooked at something.

"The blinkers helped her concentrate today.

"She is well-bred and we’ve always liked her. She is smart filly and she could be anything."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
9/4
Tote €4.40 €1.70
2nd
0.5L
2/1Fav
€1.50
3rd
5L
11/2
€2.10
4th
0.5L
7/1
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.