King Cuan win the final leg of 83/1 treble for Billy Lee

The Limerick man had sparked his treble on board Willie McCreery’s once-raced, four-year-old filly Germanese, who got up late to deny Knockmark by a half-length in the CPAC Modular Maiden.

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025 - 20:55

John Ryan

King Cuan outclassed his two rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race in Fairyhouse, providing Billy Lee with the final leg of a sparkling 83/1 treble.

A three-time winner at two before missing all of last season due to injury, the Paddy Twomey-trained gelding had shaped with promise in his comeback run in Cork and, sent off 10/11 favourite, tracked Rowdy Yeats before being unleashed approaching eh furlong-pole.

In front early in the final furlong, King Cuan scampered clear to slam Tango Flare, winner of this race for the last two years, by two and a half lengths.

“He has plenty of class and instant acceleration,” stated Twomey, “He ran well in Cork and this looked a good race for him. I entered him for the big seven-furlong handicap in Cork next week, but he’s heading for the listed race at the Curragh on Derby weekend (the Belgrave Stakes on June 29).” And winning rider Lee added, “He felt great today - he jumped, travelled and really stretched when I asked him. He sprinted to the line and has a lot of pace.”

The Limerick man had sparked his treble on board Willie McCreery’s once-raced, four-year-old filly Germanese, who got up late to deny Knockmark by a half-length in the CPAC Modular Maiden.

“Her owners’ patience has paid off,” said McCreery, “Billy gave her a lovely patient ride and, while the seven suited for her first run back, she’s better at six.” Lee, now four behind Colin Keane in the title-race, was also successful on the Andy Oliver-trained Orchidaceae, who bounced back from a lack-lustre recent run at the Curragh to take the Fairy Night Handicap at the expense of Mr Jeremy.

The winner is trained by Andy Oliver who said, “She ran flat the last day and it turned out that she was in season. She settled and picked-up well tonight. We’ll see where we go in handicaps. And black type will be the ultimate aim.”

Gary Carroll doubled-up on Gavin Cromwell’s Galiway colt Mo Chroi in the Fairyhouse For BBQs Maiden and the Joe Murphy-trained filly Dolce Far Niente, who got off the mark in a division of the ten-furlong 0-60 handicap.

It was a night to remember for two young jockeys who registered their significant wins.

Jo Harnett, younger brother of Paddy, savoured his breakthrough success on Mark Fahey’s top-weight I Bid You Ajou in the Dino Day 9th July Handicap.

Meanwhile, in Clonmel, Paul Kavanagh, from Tuam, partnered Enda Bolger’s recent Tipperary scorer Gimme A Buzz to a narrow victory over Ballycashin in the Clonmel Show Handicap Hurdle, the rider’s second career success and his first in Ireland.

Smallcraftwarning, having his third run for John Ryan and back over hurdles, landed a significant gamble in the Bulmers Zero Handicap Hurdle but Ryan and jockey Liam McKenna were denied a double when My Gaffer was pipped by Declan Queally’s Oh So Charming (Paddy O’Brien) in the featured Bulmers Original Handicap Hurdle.

“All he does is jump and he’ll be lovely over fences,” said Mike O’Connor after partnering 4/6 shot Trasna Na Pairce to as clear-cut, all-the-way win in the Botanica International Rated Novice Hurdle.