3 minute read

George Boughey’s sprinter back to winning ways in Ireland.

George Boughey's decision to send his star filly Believing to Ireland turned out to be well justified when the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned four-year-old strolled to success in the Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh.

The daughter of Mehmas finished fourth in both the King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and was subsequently sent off the even-money favourite now dropped back to Group 2 level.

British raiders came to the fore with a furlong to travel and although Beautiful Diamond travelled nicely for much of the contest, Karl Burke's filly couldn't match the finishing kick shown by Believing and George Boughey's charge would go on to stretch clear for a comfortable one- and three-quarter length victory in the hands of Ryan Moore.

The Ed Walker-trained Makarova finished back in third to ensure a one-two-three for the UKbased horses.

"She has been in very good form this year, she won well at Haydock and had two very solid runs in Group Ones at Ascot. She was probably entitled to win this," said the winning jockey.

"She is very straightforward and seems to be most suited to five furlongs."