Mazagran wins well on Irish debut

UAE import Mazagran (8/1) made an impressive winning debut in Ireland today, landing Limerick's Annacotty Rated Race for trainer Joseph O'Brien and jockey Shane Crosse.

By War Front and out of Group 1-winning mare Wavering, Mazagran began his career in France for trainer Andre Fabre and this winter had won twice for trainer Satish Seemar in Dubai's Jebel Ali.

Running for owner Hamad Mohammed Kadfoor Abdulla Al Mehairi, the four year old colt today quickened from off the pace to comfortably beat Freescape by three lengths.

Afterwards Brendan Powell, representing the winning trainer, stated “he started in France and we didn't know about the ground for him. We didn't know what to make of him but he looks a big genuine type and hopefully he has a big future.

“His two wins were in Jebel Ali, that's a tough track with a tough hill and the ground is always deeper there. Shane (Crosse) said he gave him a gorgeous feel the whole way around and felt like he had a lot of speed and stayed on well.

“He is a lovely big horse, is rated 82 today but definitely has black-type in him somewhere. It is hard to find the races but we might find a Listed or Group race next — he looks an exciting horse.”