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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Murphy's Savante impresses on debut

Sun 9th Jun 2024, 18:10

Savante begins to surge clear under Jimmy O'RourkeSavante begins to surge clear under Jimmy O'Rourke
© Photo Healy Racing

Colm Murphy sent out a second bumper winner in the space of a fortnight, as his Savante impressively dismissed her 14-rivals in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

Available at 25/1 in early shows for this extended two-mile contest, the Workforce bay came in for plenty of market support, eventually going off a 6/1 chance under Jimmy O'Rourke.

A E1,000 foal and sold for E6,000 at the Tattersalls July Store Sale in 2022, the Paul McKeon-owned five-year-old debutant was settled in mid-division, taking closer order from halfway.

Travelling nicely in fifth on the approach to the straight, she made progress to challenge on the outer from the two-furlong pole and was soon pushed along to lead.

She extended her advantage when ridden inside the final furlong and came home nine-and-a-half lengths clear of recent Tramore victor Fillusin

The runner-up was returned an easy-to-back 8/1 chance (5/2 early) under Hannah Smullen for Gordon Elliott, while the Jessica Harrington-trained Aruntothequeen (2/1 favourite) was a length-and-a-quarter back in third.

"We've always loved her and from day one she's worked like a nice filly. I'm delighted with what she's done there today," Murphy revealed.

"They seemed to go a good gallop and Jimmy said she was always travelling well with him.

"I'm not sure what we will do now. We might put her away as she's a filly that will go on winter ground as well. We'll speak to Paul and make a plan."

STEWARDS REPORT

P. Hanlon, rider of Into The Unknown trained by John Joseph Hanlon, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that he felt his mount go wrong.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.