Orr moves level with Slattery in race to be champion apprentice

Oisin Orr moved level with Andrew Slattery (36 winners apiece) at the head of the apprentice table when winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden at the Curragh on Katiba

The 2017 champion apprentice got newcomer Katiba (12s into 6s) home by a head and half a length from fellow first-timers Gin Blossom and Persian Queen

Gin Blossom really stormed home under Donnacha O’Brien but as it happened it was a measure of compensation attained for successful owner and trainer, the Aga Khan and Dermot Weld.

They had seen their Shekhem lose out by a neck in the Group Two Beresford Stakes half-an-hour earlier.

“It was a good performance first time out in a big field. We might leave it at that for the year or if we do run again it could be in the Eyrefield," said Weld.

“She’s a big, big filly and one to look forward to next year.

“Shekhem ran a cracker in the Beresford, he always does. He got beaten a neck in Galway and was beaten a neck again today. He tries so hard.

“He’s a good colt and there is improvement in him. He’s still immature and he’ll make a real good three-year-old. Ground really doesn’t matter to him.

“He runs just a little bit free and hopefully we’ll curtail that over the winter. He did just a little bit too much early on today, and in my opinion it cost him the race.

“He has that will to win, guts and courage.”

L.F. Roche, rider of Now The King trained by M.D. O'Callaghan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the ground.

The Stewards fined P.J.F. Murphy, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Cardinal Rule in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Cardinal Rule in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90.

The Stewards fined Noel Meade, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Crassus in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Crassus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90.

(AM & EM)