Coen in control as Murtagh targets Goffs Million Johnny Murtagh-trained Take Charge Star (7/2) bettered an unlucky debut defeat in winning Gowran’s Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden today, collecting a €50,000 bonus en route to another likely payday in the Goffs Million. By opening-race-winning sire Starspangledbanner and a half-brother to Group 1-winner Albignia, Take Charge Star endured a torrid passage when finishing a close third on Curragh debut 10 days ago and today, under Ben Coen, quickened smartly to comfortably beat Spangled Sands by 2.5 lengths. Murtagh quipped “my wife was giving out to me after the last time because it was a bonus race (for horses bought at Goffs Orby Book 1 sale) at the Curragh: we missed it, but thankfully got it today. “Ben was very happy with him that first day when he didn’t get much of a run and said he was a bit unlucky really, but I think it stood to him. He is back so soon as we want to qualify him for the Goffs Million and that was his big target this year. “I’m delighted with the way he won, they are new owners (Maribeth Sandford) from America and this is the first batch of horses they’ve had with me. It’s extra special when you can ring the owners and say you won and extra 50 thousand, so it’s win-win!” The Curragh’s seven-furlongs Goffs Million takes place on September 27, with first-prize of €500,000. Quotes from Gary Carson
