Murtagh trains his first winner for Gigginstown

Johnny Murtagh registered his first winner for Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud at Gowran today as the trainer sent out Luminent to narrowly win the Tickets On GowranPark.ie Apprentice Handicap (div 1).

The daughter of Teofilo had previously failed to win in nine starts and while jockey Ben Coen attempted to make all today, was headed by eventual runner-up Hidden Spark with a furlong and a half to race. However while runner-up Hidden Spark seemed to idle in the closing furlong, Luminent stuck to her task and edged a short-head win at the line.

Afterwards Murtagh said “that was great. It's the first time she's been in a 0-65 for a while. She ran well in Navan and she got 3lb for finishing second and that's her grade.

“She was brave and she battled well. Hopefully she can win again.

“Eddie (O'Leary, brother and racing manager to the winning owner) was on before the result and said he'd take half a loaf. He got a full loaf!”

Quotes from Gary Carson