Home Of The Brave another for Palmer

Home Of The Brave capped a wonderful weekend for trainer Hugo Palmer as he proved too strong for his rivals in the Group Three Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

Palmer secured his first Classic success with Covert Love in the Irish Oaks yesterday and took another nice pot across the Irish Sea courtesy of Home Of The Brave in this seven furlong contest.

This assignment was a lowering of the sights for the three-year-old colt as on his last two runs he came sixth in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Once the stalls opened, the 7/2 shot was sent into an early lead by James Doyle. After travelling sweetly, the pair kicked for home with over a quarter of a mile to race.

They held a two-length cushion entering the final furlong and didn't relent as they posted a three and a half length victory. Gordon Lord Byron the 7/4 favourite, motored home in the final furlong for second. Sovereign Debt also finished well, without troubling the winner, in third at 3/1. He was half a length off Gordon Lord Byron.

Hugo Palmer said: "I thought he'd win but I didn't quite think he'd win like that.

"He's a very immature horse and that's why he was so lightly raced at two. He always showed he was a horse with amazing speed from Christmas as a yearling. He was terrifyingly quick.

"Andrea my head girl has been a huge part in his upbringing teaching him to settle. He did that perfectly today. He went down like a lamb, came back like a lamb and quickened away from them.

"He's the second Group-winning son of Starspangledbanner from 27 foals. I'd expect he'll cover more mares now and he'll be able to upgrade what he is as a stallion.

"The Hungerford Stakes would look the obvious next target. There is the Prix Maurice de Gheest but that might be his Group One for next year.

"We thought after the Guineas that he was a sprinter but that might just have come a bit quick after the Free Handicap. He was cherry ripe for the Free Handicap.

"He was sixth and ran very well in the Guineas but he's maybe actually a bit better than that. I was impressed with how he saw out the seven and wouldn't rule out returning to a mile."

Home Of The Brave picked up 42,250 euro for winning today.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson