It was a surprise victory for 50/1 shot Dallas Star in Sunday’s Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.

Trained by Dominic Ffrench-Davies as a juvenile, Dallas Star enjoyed mixed fortunes in 2023 but shed his maiden tag with a victory at Bath in October. He ended the season with a nine length defeat behind Arabian Crown in the Listed Zetland Stakes, before transferring to trainer Adrian Murray. 

The Amo Racing-owned colt, ridden by Seamie Heffernan, took the early initiative to lead on his seasonal bow but was headed by Deepone at the halfway stage. He returned to the fore with a furlong to go, and stayed on to land a comfortable three length victory over the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair The Euphrates and Illinois.

"We were on a mission today to see how we were going or where we were going to go next," said Murray.

"He kept finding for him. Twice during the race I thought he was done for and he kept coming back.

"I never thought I'd see the day where we would be competing in the same race as Aidan O'Brien.

"I was so near to packing it in a few years ago and it's amazing the way things can turn around. The horses are very healthy and that is a big thing.

"He'll be entered in all the big races now I suppose and we'll see where we go. I'll have to chat to Kia (Joorabchian, owner) and Robson (Aguiar, part of the Amo team) and see where they want to go.

"He came to us over the winter."