Lugnaquilla and Gavin Ryan © Photo Healy Racing
Lugnaquilla opened her account at the third attempt when taking the concluding mile-and-a-half maiden at Tipperary.
Gavin Ryan stayed wide from his high draw in the early stages and again went for the stand's rail in the home straight on the Galileo filly.
The Donnacha O'Brien-trained 11/8 favourite fought it out with Silver Fox inside the final furlong and got on top in the closing stages for a length-and-a-half success.
Lugnaquilla, a full-sister to Derby runner-up Cliffs Of Moher, had been second on her most recent outing at Killarney.
"She is a gorgeous big mare and she is over 16.2hh. We are allowed to keep her next year which will be great as she'll be much better next year as a 1m4f filly,” said O'Brien.
"She is just so big and is still a bit weak. I was giving her time and a chance to strengthen into herself and even now she is weak.
"It'll be all about next year with her and I don't know if she'll run again, she could possibly try for black-type but I wouldn't be surprised if she is put away to come back next year.
“I think she is a smart filly and I think she is going to be stakes class."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
