Hourigan and 50/1 Moonmeister win Ladies Derby

Moonmeister and Laura Hourigan got up in the dying strides to take the Kildare Village Ladies Derby Handicap in the Curragh.

The nicely-backed Galeola skipped clear under Helen Mooney with over a quarter of a mile to negotiate, however, Moonmeister was seen making good headway on the inner in pursuit.

Galeola began to tie up inside the final furlong as Moonmeister (50/1) kept finding for Houigan and the pair cut into the deficit all the way to grab the lead in the final strides.

The winning margin was a neck from Perfect Tapatino (8/1) and Megan Nicholls who also came from a long way back, on the outside, to get up for second.

Galeola was a nose away in third at 9/2 from 6/1 in the morning.

Trainer Tony Martin said: “It was a great performance. The horse was out of sorts all year, I don't know what was wrong with him but he started to come in the last month.

“Our jockey couldn't have done it better and everything worked out lovely.

“It's a lovely pot to land and it's a good man involved (Phil Rugg). It's his first horse to get involved with, with me, so it's great.

“There is no point making any plans, we'll enjoy today.”

The Stewards interviewed Miss L.A. Hourigan, rider of Moonmeister, concerning her use of the whip in closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found Miss L. A. Hourigan in breach of Regulation 10.3(g), in that she used her whip with excessive frequency, and having considered her record in this regard suspended her for four race days.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson