Murtagh on the mark for Australian owners Melbourne Cup-winning owners Australian Bloodstock Stable landed Leopardstown’s Bulmers Live Apprentice Handicap today, as their heavily-supported Abbey Actress (6/4 - 4/6f) gave trainer Johnny Murtagh consecutive daily wins. Placed sixth at Listed level in May, the five-year-old mare raced behind the leaders in today’s race and while her rider Patrick McGettigan dropped his whip in the closing stages, held on to score by three-parts of a length from Clear Quartz . Australian Bloodstock Stable have won Melbourne Cups with Protectionist (in 2014) and Gold Trip (2022) while Murtagh, himself successful with Lord Aus at Limerick yesterday, reported “Abbey Actress deserves that, it was a perfect race and she loves soft ground. “We recently tried to get black-type with her and I think, one day, her heart might get her a stakes-placing. When she hits the front, she pricks her ears but she is all heart, tries really hard and deserved that today.” Quotes from John O’Riordan
