City Of Memphis takes Lanwades crown The growing reputation of City Of Memphis was enhanced as Billy Lee proved he is once again the man for the Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh. Fifth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas after just one win in a maiden on this day 12 months ago, the daughter of Sioux Nation was adding her third straight success since when obliging as the 2-1 joint-favourite in this Group Two event over a mile. Winning trainer Paddy Twomey said "I like this race as it is a suitable one for the type of filly we train. "This filly came from Katie Walsh as a breezer and, to be fair, the breeze-ups have been very good to us and I came from that sphere myself. “Alan (O’Flynn, member of the family syndicate) said to target the breeze-ups from the get-go and he has been very lucky and is getting his reward. “I actually had her in the Guineas in the winter (of 2024-25), took her out in April and then put her back in at the cost of €50,000, to get €15,000 for finishing fifth but thankfully he forgave me! She is a classy filly and it worked out today. “After her Guineas run, I said that we’d leave her alone until her four-year-old year and I’d say she is now a Group One filly. “She won’t go to Ascot but I’ll be looking at races like the Prix Maurice De Gheest, Prix Rothschild, the Matron, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Mile, those kind of races.” Owner O'Flynn added "we dream of days like this, it doesn't always work and we're delighted. It is a great team effort in the yard and she has kept progressing and progressing, having had a few setbacks last year. Billy gave her a gorgeous ride and she is really good." This win that gave Twomey a third triumph in the race in the last five years, but that was eclipsed by his jockey Lee who was lifting the trophy for a fifth time in six years.
