Beautiful performance from Artiste on debut

Ma Belle Artiste (My Beautiful Artist in English) put in a professional performance on debut to take the opener at Leopardstown this evening, the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden.

Sent off a 13/2 chance, the Joseph O'Brien trained bay was settled behind the leaders by Declan McDonogh and was pushed along in third on the approach to the straight.

Briefly short of room when coming with her challenge between horses from the furlong pole, she was soon ridden when in the clear.

She really got going inside the final 150 yards and hit the front in the closing stages before going on to prevail by half-a-length in the colours of MyRacehorse & Philip Antonacci. Leopardess (50/1) improved to lead a furlong from home but couldn't hold off the winner and had to settle for second under Tom Madden for Jessica Harrington.

Newcomer Bellaphina (50/1) was an eye-catcher a length-and-three-parts back in third. Short of room from over a furlong out, she kept on well in the closing stages. Semantics was sent off the 4/6 favourite, but faded tamely when headed over a furlong out and she eventually finished sixth.

Kate Hardy, Director Of Operations with MyRacehorse, said: "We started out in the US in 2018 and rose to fame when Authentic won the Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup Classic in 2020. From there everything exploded and we expanded into Australia.

"We have two horses in Ireland and two in the UK. We try to do elite bloodstock with top trainers and experiences that will last you a lifetime.

"We have a website MyRacehorse.com and an App to download for anyone interested in joining us.

"Our goal is to create a global marketplace for these horses and for people in the UK and Ireland to also own horses in America and Australia.

"Joseph said from day one that she is a smart filly and she has taken her work really well. We'll see what he has in mind for her next."

Declan McDonagh added: "I was delighted with her. She was a little bit sluggish the first furlong but got into a lovely spot and I had a nice trip around.

"I needed a bit of luck in the straight and as you saw I got hampered badly twice. She did well to win.

"She has a great attitude and is a fine, big strong filly. There is lots to like about that first time out and she will go another furlong. She had to be brave."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Ma Belle Artiste, ridden by D.P. McDonogh, Leopardess (GB), ridden by T.P. Madden, Semantics (USA), ridden by C.T. Keane, and Lan Mara ridden by K.J. Manning where it appeared that Lan Mara and Semantics got tight for room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D. P. McDonogh stated that he got a little pressure from his outside. T. P. Madden stated that his mount ran green and leaned left in the straight. C. T. Keane stated that he received a little bump but was beaten at the time and it did not cost him anything. K. J. Manning stated that he received no interference and was going backwards at the time. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that any interference which occurred was accidental in nature, and they took no further action other than to remind T. P. Madden to ride with more awareness in the future.

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Ma Belle Artiste trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran short of room a couple of times in the straight and hung in the closing stages.

M.P. Sheehy, rider of Nyota trained by M.Halford, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was tight for room at the bottom of the straight.

T.P. Madden, rider of Leopardess (GB) trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran green in the straight.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee