Motivated Ballydoyle filly completes hat-trick

Regally bred Clear Skies completed a hat-trick of Dundalk wins at the venue this evening, landing the Crowne Plaza Jockey&Trainer Awards Handicap for trainer Aidan O'Brien, his jockey son Donnacha O'Brien and owner J.P. McManus.

The daughter of Sea The Stars is a half-sister to Derby winner Motivator and today scored a third win this month when beating Carried by a length.

Afterwards jockey Donnacha O'Brien, having his first ride this month, stated “she's just a progressive filly. She always worked nicely at home but it just took her a while to get her act together on the track but she's showing the ability she has now.

“She travels beautiful; before, she was kind of quitting off it but now she's quickening and galloping out off it.

“The second favourite (Carried) was in front of me so I wanted to put him to bed when I could and then worry about what was coming from behind me after that.

“She's probably not far off being capable of getting some black-type - she has ability, but I don't know if there is anywhere she can go at this time of year.”

Quotes from Gary Carson