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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Jewel shines in Down Royal opener

Fri 2nd Sep 2022, 16:25

Ocean Jewel and Billy Lee lead home their rivalsOcean Jewel and Billy Lee lead home their rivals
© Photo Healy Racing

A half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Mother Earth, Ocean Jewel easily took the opener at Down Royal, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Sixth of 19 on debut at the Curragh last month, the Willie McCreery trained bay was expected to make the breakthrough today, going off the clear 11/10 favourite under Billy Lee.

Settled in second, the Al Shira'aa Racing owned victor improved to lead from halfway and stretched clear when ridden from the furlong pole, going on to score by four-lengths.

The Eddie Lynam trained Bonny Power (9/2) filled the runner-up spot, while newcomer Maggie McGrath kept on nicely to take third, a further length-and-a-quarter behind.

It was a 73rd winner of the season for Billy Lee, who is now two clear of title rival Colin Keane.

McCreery said in the aftermath: "Obviously, you saw how well-bred she is - it is important to keep the family tradition going!"

"It is Al Shira'aa Racing Limited's first winner in Ireland, so I'm delighted about that as well. They have bought another few yearlings for this year, so they will have more horses racing in Ireland.

"She is a lovely filly and we will step her up, maybe this year, but we will take our time because she is still growing a lot.

"She has always worked nicely and she did everything nicely. She skipped along ands she has been doing that at home."

STEWARDS REPORTS

D. McMonagle, rider of Bonny Power trained by Edward Lynam, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount leaned left in the closing stages of this race.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Profitable Edge trained by John Stephen O'Donoghue, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got a bump at the one furlong marker and was carried left. Having reviewed a recording of this part of the race and considered the matter, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.