Birthday present Prom comes good for Shah The Anthony McCann-trained Prom Queen produced a fine front-running performance to claim the concluding staying handicap at Gowran Park this evening. Luke McAteer bounced out to lead on the 10/1 shot and she was joined up the back straight by the wide running Numidia. The Ribchester mare had the advantage turning for home and edged over to the stand’s rail from the two pole. She galloped on strongly late on to beat Royal Belief by a length-and-a-half. It was a first success for Prom Queen who was a bargain buy for owner Rita Shah, having cost just £3,500 at the July Sale in 2024. "Myself and Naren Shah, Rita's husband, bought this mare for her birthday as she was always fond of grey horses. Her first ever horse Barr's Hill was a grey who won 13 or 14 races for Oliver Brady,” said McCann. "This mare stayed on very well the last day on her first run of the season but I was afraid she wouldn't stay today's trip. She is actually well-bred, we got offers for her before Christmas and she needs soft ground. "She will be better going left-handed as Leigh Roche rode her one day in Fairyhouse and nearly ended up on the ambulance path, she hung so badly. “She is bred for sprinting but is a stayer and hopefully we will get another race before the ground dries." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
