Son Of Footstepsinthesand Battles For Curragh Maiden Win

Navagio (3g Footstepsinthesand - Souzie, by Le Havre) gained a deserved win when prevailing in a thrilling finish to Friday’s seven furlong maiden at the Curragh.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained bay had finished in the first four on all of his previous starts, including in a premier handicap on his three-year-old return. Ridden by regular rider Ben Coen, he led from the early stages and was asked to quicken two furlongs from home. Running on well under pressure, he rallied when joined by the favourite and kept on well to win by a short head.

“He's a horse we've always liked,” Murtagh later revealed. “He has a big engine and is a good striding horse. In fairness to him, he battled well today when the second came to him. Hopefully he can go on and keep progressing because he works better than this rating.”

The son of Footstepsinthesand is owned and bred by Ballygallon Stud.