Ground key to Devotion’s 25/1 shock win

ROYAL DEVOTION, trained by Michael Halford for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, sprang the biggest shock on a day of surprises at Galway yesterday when landing the listed Ardilaun House Hotel Oyster Stakes.

The 25/1 shot, ridden by Halford’s stable jockey, Tadgh O’Shea, tracked the leaders and edged ahead briefly in the dip before having to be roused by O’Shea to get the better of Arch Rebel well inside the final furlong. Then, the daughter of Saddler’s Wells had to hold the late surge of Orpington by half a length.

Trainer Halford said: “She was a big weak filly last year but we decided to keep her in training. She ran well at Limerick but fast ground hasn’t helped her and she missed the break and ran no race at Fairyhouse the last day.”