Luisant wins Testimonial Stakes at the Curragh

James Nash's Luisant (3-1) gained a deserved success in the Jersey Racing Club Testimonial Stakes at the Curragh today.

Only out of the first three once in his last 10 starts, the seven-year-old had nevertheless failed to get his head in front in that time.

Roger Charlton's Definightly looked to have everything covered with two furlongs to run but just behind Colm O'Donoghue could be spotted travelling ominously well and he quickened up to win by two and a half lengths.

"Thank God. I was very tempted to put blinkers on him but I was convinced he was genuine," said Nash.

"It just wasn't happening for him and he'll probably go for the Knockaire Stakes (October 31) at Leopardstown next.

"He was very impressive there and it is great to win a Listed race with him. It is a joy to have him seconditis or no seconditis."

Gemstone (7-1) ran out a game winner of the Lanwades & Staffordshire Studs Stakes to complete a double for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Johnny Murtagh.

The top team had taken the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden with Petronius Maximus (7-2) and struck again in this Listed contest.

Murtagh sent Gemstone into the lead early in the straight after stablemate Luxurious had made the running and the Galileo filly kept on well to beat Rising Wind by a length and a quarter with Hurricane Havoc third.

O'Brien said: "That's a nice win to get for a Galileo filly - he is an unbelievable stallion. They don't know when to give up and she is tough and genuine.

"She won her maiden in Limerick and then disappointed before running well the last day. She is finished for the season now. She'll step-up in trip next season over a mile and a quarter plus."