Don Julio and Paddy Harnett © Photo Healy Racing
The 76-rated Don Julio won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2-y-o Claiming Maiden for Donnacha O’Brien and 7lb claimer Paddy Harnett.
The Caravaggio colt tracked the leaders on the inside and just had to be switched right to challenge Hul Ah Bah Loo tracing towards the final furlong. He got the better of that one in the final hundred yards and ran on well to score by a length and three quarters, with the favourite Ardluasa back in third.
The winner, whose dam Remember Alexander landed the Group 3 Tyros Stakes for Jessica Harrington, had shown promise in his first couple of outings in maidens and was getting off the mark at the fifth attempt.
“He got very worked up beforehand at Galway the last day,” said Harnett.
“He reared up coming out of the stalls and things just didn’t happen.
“It was very smooth today. He jumped well, they went quick and I had a nice pace to aim at. He went through with it lovely and is very genuine.
“That’s my fourth winner of the season and 17th in all.”
Three claims were made for the winner, with the successful claimant being John Keogh who acquired him for E15,000, and he will now join trainer Shane Duffy.
Quotes from Alan Magee
