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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Romans is King at the ninth attempt

Mon 27th May 2013, 18:01

King Of The Romans strides clear for Joseph O'BrienKing Of The Romans strides clear for Joseph O'Brien
© Photo Healy Racing

King Of the Romans is undoubtedly one of the lesser lights in Ballydoyle but, at the start of a big week for the yard, he got off the mark at the ninth time of asking at Ballinrobe in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

The son of Holy Roman Emperor was sent straight to the front on leaving the stalls by Joseph O’Brien in this nine-furlong event but was headed around halfway by Madam Mo

However the champion jockey got a great run up the inner entering the short straight to take it up again, and the 100/30 chance soon settled the issue to beat the staying on newcomer Modista (16/1) by three and three quarter lengths.

The frustrating Cocktail Hour (5/2) held every chance approaching the straight but was again found wanting in third, with 9/4 favourite Madam Mo also weakening to finish fourth.

Joseph O’Brien said afterwards, “I’m happy enough with that. He’d run well before and he was probably just coming up against better horses in those auction maidens.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

1st
10/3
Tote €4.40 €1.90
2nd
3.75L
16/1
€4.10
3rd
0.5L
5/2
€1.02
4th
1L
9/4Fav
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.