O'Callaghan and Manning win Curragh opener

The Michael O'Callaghan trained Mur Hiba landed the opening K Club European Breeders Fund Maiden at Curragh today, scoring a half length win under jockey Kevin Manning.

The daughter of Australian bred stallion Helmet was dropping back to five furlongs for the first time today and in the end stayed on gamely for her half length win over Blitz

After the race, O’Callaghan stated “she's been so relaxed at home that we started her off over seven furlongs and we've been stepping her back every time in her races as she's been showing a lot of natural speed. Kevin rode her the last day and was very keen to ride her again.

“Anything she does this year will be a bonus as she's still a big, immature filly. We'll probably find a stakes race for her and then put her away. She looks an out and out sprinter, and the last day we rode her very positively over six (furlongs)."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee