Sale topper makes perfect start on racecourse

Last year's Goffs Orby sale-topper Old Glory made a perfect start to his racing career when claiming the finale in fine style at Naas this evening.

The Frankel colt made €1.6 million at last year's Orby sale and hinted that it could be money well spent with a cosy success on his debut outing.

Donnacha O'Brien produced the Ballydoyle-trained colt to challenge a furlong from home in the seven-furlong maiden and asked him to claim front-runner Erich Bloch in the last 100 yards.

The 6/4 favourite kept on nicely under 'hands and heels' riding close home to secure a cosy length-and-a-half success.

Old Glory runs in the American Pharoah colours of Zayat Stables and is owned in partnership with the Coolmore triumvirate of Tabor, Smith and Magnier.

The winner is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Adjusted and Group 3 winner Giuseppe Piazzi.

Aidan O’Brien said:- “We thought that he was ready to come racing and that he would come forward plenty. The lads close to him always liked him.

“Donnacha said he travelled very well, and did everything right. We would like to go steady, and he could go for the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.

“He’s a horse that will stay much further than seven furlongs.”

It was a double on the card for the O'Brien father and son team following on from the earlier victory of All The King's Men

(Quotes by Alan Magee)