Oxx ‘lucky’ – for the 11th time!

The listed Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes has been a "lucky" race for John Oxx since its introduction in the 90s, and the Curraghbeg trainer annexed the prize for the 11th time when Tarana, ridden by Declan McDonogh, powered up the Ballybrit hill to land the spoils in Galway last night.

Sent off 7/2 second favourite behind another Aga Khan-owned filly, the Dermot Weld-trained Ebeyina (finished a well-beaten tenth), Tarana tracked the leaders, challenged to seize the initiative turning for home and stayed on strongly to triumph by two and a quarter lengths from Killarney maiden winner Altesse, with Beyond Brilliance faring best of Aidan O’Brien’s quintet in third place.

The winning trainer admitted: “The trainer made a mess the last day, putting blinkers on her, She was too free and took off. She ran herself into the ground, but still managed to run a good race to finish fourth.