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Lord Massusus recorded the first Group success of his career when winning the Group 3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

Ridden by Gary Carroll, Lord Massusus was held up in the early stages of the mile contest and began to make progress with a furlong to run. Carroll switched to the rail once the colt had reached second place, and accelerated away in the closing stages to beat favourite Alfred Munnings by a comfortable one-and-a-half lengths.

The son of Markaz started the year winning a Gowran handicap over seven furlongs and had struggled since transitioning to Listed and Black Type company. He had been very keen in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes in late July, fading in the closing stages to finish seventh behind Zarinsk.

"We were disappointed the last day but things didn't go right for him, he pulled too hard," said trainer Joseph Murphy.

"We got him switched off today, he came home well and a fast pace suited him. He won like a good horse, I thought it was a good performance.

"That's what he was showing us when we supplemented him for the Minstrel Stakes.

"That's his fifth win now. There is a little bit of ease in the ground today, the day he ran in the Listed race and was running on well [fourth in the Celebration Stakes] it was good, so he's versatile.

"He has a low action so good ground makes no difference.

"We'll look forward to the big meeting now, he'll go for the Dullingham Park Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend."

The Group 2 Dullingham Park Stakes will be run over the same course and distance on Saturday 9 September, as part of the Irish Champions Weekend.