Pickersgill earns her stripes Quirky Pickersgill (4/1) gained a deserved first success in the Curragh’s Visit The Irish National Stud & Gardens Maiden today, scoring for trainer Sheila Lavery, jockey Robbie Colgan and owner John Lavery. Placed on two previous starts last October, the daughter of Starspangledbanner today made all, and while she ducked left and away from a marker under a furlong out, rallied well for a three-parts of a length win, from Kilmood Susan, Lavery explained “Robbie (Colgan) said she wasn’t doing a tap out in front and then spooked at the 200-yards yellow marker: she then picked up and went on again. She’s been training very well but is just a bit opinionated when around the parade ring. “I think she’s an awful lot better than what she showed there. She was a bit fresh and buzzy today on her first run (of the year). She is going the right way, and I think she will keep improving.” The winner's name refers to Mary Young Pickersgill, the seamstress who made the American Star-Spangled Banner. Quotes from Alan Magee
