The Gurkha off the mark as a stallion

The Gurkha got off the mark in his new career at Limerick today as the Coolmore-owned stallion landed the opening Well Done To All Frontline Staff (Fillies) Maiden for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Wayne Lordan. Finest was today having her fourth career start and in the end made all but was made work hard by eventual runner-up Amber Kite who got to within a nose of the winner at the line.

Afterwards Lordan stated “she did that well from an outside draw and I got it a little bit easy in front.

“She tried and battled well but the line came in time.”

Finest is from the first crop of French 2,000 Guineas winner The Gurkha, who initially stood at a fee of €25,000 but covered this year at €12,500.