Famous Name bagged a seventh Group 3 success as he strolled to victory in the Irish Daily Mail International Stakes at the Curragh.
Photo by Racing and Sports
With Elusive Pimpernel a non-runner, Dermot Weld's six-year-old was sent off at a generous-looking 4-5 given his record in this type of event when there is juice in the ground.
Pat Smullen's mount easily picked up the pace-setting Last Crusade passing the two-furlong pole and was quickly in command, winning with his head in his chest by six lengths from Jan Vermeer.
Famous Name also won this race in 2009, and Weld said: "That brings his total prize-money to over 1 million euros. I'm very proud of him as he's such a model of consistency and his enthusiasm for racing is special.
"We'll see how the year goes on, but his main target will be to try to win a first Group One. He has come close a few times and I'll speak to Lord Grimthorpe (racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah) to see what plan we will have for the second half of the season."
John Oxx introduced a decent newcomer in the Aga Khan's colours in the three-year-old Sharestan, who took the Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Maiden in some style as the 11-10 favourite.
Opa Loca was travelling nicely when she took it up a furlong out, but Johnny Murtagh got Sharestan into a smooth rhythm and he swept past on the outside to score by a length and three-quarters.
Oxx doubled up when Sceal Nua (9-1), making her debut for the yard after switching from Richard Hannon's team, took the Today FM Handicap by a length and a quarter under Niall McCullagh.
The trainer joked: "I know what I'm writing away for to Santa Claus in future - I'll ask him to send me horses with English handicap marks!"
Ben Curtis landed the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Derby on Andy Oliver's Sportsmaster (4-1), who caught Teajaybe easily enough but then had to dig deep to overhaul him, going on to win by two lengths.
