U S Navy Flag sires first winner

Stallion U S Navy Flag registered a first winner with his second runner today as Ocean Vision landed Dundalk's opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden for trainer Kieran Cotter and jockey Jake Coen.

Just one of the eight runners had previous form and newcomers fought out the finish as Ocean Vision, which raced green through the race, quickening to lead a furlong out and beat Lady Tilbury by three parts of a length.

July Cup winner U S Navy Flag's only other runner Kaasib was beaten a neck at Wolverhampton eight days ago while today's success was jockey Coen's 15th success.

After the race Cotter said "he actually needs six (furlongs), he was all over the place early on in the race but came home strong.

“There was a lot of talk about a lot of horses here today but we knew our lad was fit and he showed it there today. He enjoyed that surface and I'd say he would want quick, decent ground. He'd have no problem moving up to six."

Winning owner John Kirkland also owns this season's opening juvenile maiden Ocean Quest, trained by Jessica Harrington, and Cotter added “we are delighted to get a winner for John Kirkland, he joined our stable recently thanks to Jim Ryan. It's a great start and he has been a nice, smart horse.”

Quotes from Michael Graham