Colter Bay a poignant success for Browne-Souza Colter Bay just wore down the experienced Stella Alpina by a short head at the end of six furlongs in the Valdir Rodrigues De Sousa Memorial Maiden at Cork. Stella Alpina was at the head of affairs, but strong-travelling Colter Bay moved up to take closer order inside the final quarter of a mile. The race developed into a match in the final furlong with Stella Alpina always holding a narrow advantage. In the closing stages, it was neck and neck, though, and they flashed past the post together with Colter Bay putting his head on the line first for 10lb claimer Adam Browne-Souza. This was Colter Bay's third appearance having finished fifth and ninth in two races at the Curragh. He was nicely backed down to 5/1 while the runner-up was a 9/4 chance. Glory To Be kept on in third without threatening the leaders. She was backed from 11/1 to 6/1. Browne-Souza said: "That's my third winner, so my claim is now down to 7lb and I'm delighted. Everything went to plan today and he was very unlucky the last day in the Curragh when he stumbled coming out of the stalls. "That's my second winner for my grandfather (trainer Willie Browne) and it is also a special race to win, as my father Ronaldo - who led me up today - knew Valdy from riding breeze-up horses together. "It is lovely to win this race and this horse will come on a lot from this. We always thought a lot of him, he is gradually improving the whole time and is a good horse to have." This race was named in honour of Valdir Rodrigues De Sousa who died in hospital from injuries sustained in a yard accident in July 2024, with members of his family in attendance today. Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
