The featured Mercury Stakes at Dundalk this evening went for export as English trainer Ian Williams' Sir Maximilian claimed a second win at Listed level, under jockey Shane Donoghe.

Sir Maximilian was checked entering the home straight and then looked to have plenty to do to catch leader Abstraction with a furlong left. However the winning son of Royal Applause stayed on strongly late on to edge a head win.

The winner rejoined the West Midlands trainer following a seventh placed effort in the Prix de l'Abbaye recently and afterwards Williams stated “all the plaudits go really to (the horse's former trainer) Tim Pitt who has trained the horse up until about a week ago. I'm not sure what happened with the owner (Paul Wildes) but he's back with me now.

"I bought him at the sales two years ago for £30,000 and have watched him improve. It's great for the owner and also for Stevie Donohoe. He's a former champion apprentice, and didn't panic when he got checked today. He'll have a break and the plan is to go to Dubai.

"I've had winners at Galway before but this is my first runner in Dundalk."

Donohoe added “the bend comes up a bit tight and quick, and he lost his momentum and the other horse got first run. The horse has done extremely well to win.”

Quotes from Alan Magee