Panama Red and Colin Keane (red) win from Limiti Di Greccio (orange)© Photo Healy Racing
The opening race of Irish Champions Weekend, the Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes, saw Panama Red (11/1) come out on top under Colin Keane.
There was drama early on when Voice Of Angels appeared to clip heels and stumbled badly after a furlong and a half, unseating Shane Crosse who, thankfully, was none the worse.
Panama Red, a maiden winner at Tipperary on her previous start, chased the leaders before launching her challenge after straightening up for home.
She hit the front inside the final furlong and kept on well to hold the effort of the well-backed 2/1 favourite Limiti Di Greccio by half a length, with the front-running Corviglia finding no extra back in third.
While the winner saw out her race well, the runner-up was undeniably unfortunate having been hampered by the loose horse at the end of the back straight and losing a vital couple of lengths in the process. She came widest of all in the straight to press the winner in the final furlong but could make no impression close home.
Winning trainer Ger Lyons was making his first appearance at a racecourse in quite a while and said: "That's brilliant. I had intended to come back today. I've been saying it all my career that you don't need trainers at the racing, the staff do the job and they've proved it.
“We're here today because it's the biggest day on the Irish calendar. It's very important to us and we've targeted the meeting.
“We're lucky enough to have horses to target the meeting and we're blessed to get a winner on the first start, which is fantastic. We'll have plenty of runners, not as many tomorrow but plenty today. It's a good start and hopefully there is more to come.
“In fairness today was her Derby, no disrespect to her but she's a work in progress. We know she's a miler for next year and we'll probably put her away now and let her grow up.
“We'll probably start her back in one of the trials but I'll have a word and see what Colin thinks.
“Colin gave her a great ride. That's just him, we're just riding the wave with him and we're lucky to have him.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
