Lord Massusus and Gary Carroll win the Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes Group 3 at Leopardstown. © Photo Healy Racing
Lord Massusus may not run again this season having produced a career best when runner-up in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
A three-time winner this term, the son of Markaz stepped up in class to claim Group 3 honours at Leopardstown in August. Following a fourth placing in Group 2 company back at that same venue next time, he showed that he may have yet further improvement in him when second at Newmarket over the weekend.
With connections set to skip his intended late season target and seemingly keen to avoid a date under the hammer, the three-year-old will most likely be put away for the winter.
Joe Murphy junior, son and assistant trainer said: “We were happy with him at Newmarket although I was very impressed by the winner who did very well to stay going. Our horse has loads of gears and he couldn’t lie up with her.
“He’s in the race in Bahrain (International Trophy) but I’d say he probably won’t go. He’s in the Horses-In-Training Sale as well so we have to make a decision whether he goes or not yet.
“I’d say we’ll hold onto him and he’d be a nice horse to have for next year and we’ll try and win a Group 2 or a Group 1 with him.
“A mile on fast ground is probably his conditions. He’s progressed well and is a straightforward horse and is versatile enough with trip and ground.
“We’re going to try ten furlongs with him at some point and that would open up a few nice options.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
