The Lir Jet has delighted new connections, Qatar Racing, by romping home in a thrilling finish of the Gr. 3 Norfolk Stakes for trainer Michael Bell, under champion jockey Oisin Murphy.
Following on from his track record- breaking win at Yarmouth just over two weeks ago, the first crop son of Prince Of Lir has gone on to emulate his Sire by winning the Norfolk Stakes on his second start, in impressive fashion.
It was an exciting afternoon of racing for Ballyhane Sires at Royal Ascot, with two impressive juvenile group wins for both Dandy Man and Prince Of Lir.
The Lir Jet ran down sharp US sprinter Golden Pal to land a big victory for trainer Michael Bell and Oisin Murphy in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes. Track record-breaker on debut at Yarmouth, The Lir Jet looked in trouble a couple of furlongs out when Wesley Ward's challenger cruised into a clear lead but stayed on powerfully over the five-furlong trip to get up on the line.
Michael Bell said:
"When he won at Yarmouth he broke the track record but didn't learn a lot. He had to work today. He's all speed, he'll definitely get six [furlongs] but I don't know about further.
The sire won on soft ground so we were hopeful about the ground. He's one of those lucky horses who goes on everything."
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