Oisin Murphy has received the call-up to ride the Australian-bound Kitty Rose as her new trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior bid for Royal Ascot glory before going Down Under.
Kitty Rose followed up her debut success at Naas with a commanding victory in Listed company at Leopardstown before finishing a good second in the Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh on her final outing at two.
The daughter of Invincible Army, who was purchased by a group of Australian owners headed by Tim Porter late last year, made a highly encouraging reappearance when second to Purple Lily in the Group 3 Priory Belle at Leopardstown. Connections have now opted for a tilt at Royal Ascot glory where she'll be partnered by Oisin Murphy in the Sandringham Stakes.
Kent Jnr told racing.com: "We could have easily put her in the Irish or English Guineas, but we had the mindset that we really wanted to win a race at Ascot, that was the goal, so we'll go there.
"It's great to get a rider of Oisin's calibre as the Sandringham is often a race where you need a good ride and a bit of luck to go your way.
"He is an outstanding rider who knows her form well and he'll have a sit on her at Newmarket before she runs.
"Her ultimate aim in Australia in the spring will be the Golden Eagle as she has a beautiful mix of speed and stamina and can race close to the pace."
