Lyons lands a first Cork Derby

Star Kissed (5/2f) continued a family tradition in winning a Cork 'classic' today, finally landing the Cork Derby for her trainer Ger Lyons.

Ridden by champion jockey Colin Keane, Star Kissed today registered a third win this year, holding on well to defeat last year's runner-up Safecracker by a neck.

Successful sire Sea The Stars had been responsible for the 35-minutes-earlier Munster Oaks winner Rosscarbery a race which Star Kissed's half-sister Thunder Kiss claimed in 2021.

Shane Lyons, representing his brother, reported “this was an unlucky race for us until now — we've run some good horses which have been beaten but she is after putting that right. The previous race was always our race!”

He added “we're delighted with how she is progressing through the ranks in baby steps. Today is the first day she looked like she had filled into her frame and as we said previously, it is all about next year. If she is good enough next year we'll look for black-type.

“She is keeping the show on the road for us and I'm delighted for Maurice (Regan) as he is a great patron of ours and he'll get a great kick out of that as she is from a good family.”