Calyx Filly Earns Stakes Entry With Debut Win

Purple Lily (2f Calyx - Boca Raton, by Approve) appears to have a bright future ahead of her after making a winning debut at the Galway Festival.

A €155,000 breeze-up buy, Paddy Twomey’s charge was sent off favourite under Billy Lee and showed signs of inexperience in the early stages. Quickening well on the turn for home, she ran on strongly inside the final furlong to lead close home and asserted by a neck on the line.

“She's a lovely filly to do anything with at home,” Lee revealed after the race. “I just loved the way she quickened. I'd say she's a filly with a bright future.”

Paddy Twomey echoed Lee’s sentiments, saying, “I think she is a very nice filly and hopefully can go on to bigger and better things. She has no entries but will have to get some now and the Ingabelle Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend would be a very suitable race.”

Purple Lily was bred by B O’Neill and provides an exciting update for her yearling full-brother. Owned by the Zinlo Syndicate, she continues a fantastic start at stud by Calyx, whose first crop is led by Group 2 heroine Persian Dreamer. Other runners by the talented sprinter include Group 2 Norfolk Stakes second Malc and the twice Group-placed Classic Flower.