Well-bred Duquesa Beach gained a somewhat timely first win at Dundalk today as the Lee Smyth trained five year old mare landed the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Handicap (division two) under jockey Alan Persse.

The 43 rated daughter of Epaulette was today having her first run since January and in the end scored a half length win over Just Brilliant

Afterwards Smyth stated “this is a very interesting filly and she’s back after a long break. I pushed her too hard too soon but she’s a big specimen and needed plenty of time.

“All the credit should go to Helen Barbour who does all the work with her at home. She’s a tricky one and Helen has done a great job with her and puts up with all her quirks.

“Dr David Adam is a big supporter of the yard and that’s his second winner in ten days for us. I’m over the moon.

“She’s very well-bred and the half-brother (by Exceed An Excel) just made 525,000Gbp at the breeze-ups. The mare has had three winners now.

“She’s bred by a good friend of mine Richie Auld, and a foal half-brother (also by Exceed An Excel) is going to the sales next week.”

Quotes from Alan Magee