Murphy targets Debutante with Shekiba

Joe Murphy has his horses in fine form and Shekiba was the trainer’s fourth winner in the past fortnight when landing the Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF (Fillies) Maiden at Galway today.

Ridden by Gary Carroll, the daughter of Arcano held on for a half length win over Moghamarah with three parts of a length back to 7/4 favourite and unlucky in-running Sizzling who stayed on strongly close home for a never nearer third.

Fethard, Co Tipperary based Murphy later said “she is entered in the Debutante (Stakes, at the Curragh later this month) and that will be her next run. She is a very tough, genuine filly and it looked a good race.

“We started her off at six (furlongs) and went to seven and she’ll probably be a miler as a three year old. That is a nice filly to have and I think she’s good; she’s definitely a Group filly.”

Additional information from Gary Carson