The Ger Lyons trained 7/4 favourite Noivado justified strong market support (4/1 this morning) to win the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden at Fairyhouse today.

Ridden by Lyons’ stable jockey Colin Keane, the Group 1 entered Noivado came out best in a bunch finish to eventually score a half length win over staying on Hunaina

Afterwards Lyons stated “he ran a lovely race in Leopardstown and ran out the furthest one of our horses ever ran out in the race but like a clown I stepped him straight up to seven (furlongs). If you watch the Curragh he just arrived at the furlong pole to win his race.

"While he might be a seven or a mile horse later, he's physically not there yet. He's a light horse even though he doesn't look it.

"I think he's a horse with a bright future and I think he did it well. I would be very happy with him. The minute he got to the front his ears pricked. I don't know what he beat but I like this horse."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham