First for Sanders

Seb Sanders rode his first winner in this country as the 3 to 1 favourite, Alborada, trained by Mark Prescott, took the Group…

Seb Sanders rode his first winner in this country as the 3 to 1 favourite, Alborada, trained by Mark Prescott, took the Group Three C L Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Alborada was always tracking the leaders in the hands of a confident Sanders, who committed his mount over a furlong and a half out and soon had the prize in safe keeping.

"I wanted to make use of her pace when I kicked after the two furlong pole," said the delighted jockey. Owned and bred by Swedish-born Kristen Rausing, Alborada was emulating her three-parts sister Last Second who also took this prize two years ago. Based at Newmarket but with a stud farm in Co Meath, the owner-breeder revealed that she had turned down "a very substantial offer" earlier in the week for Alborada.

John Oxx, who was in Longchamp, recorded a 1,469 to 1 treble and also was responsible for a remarkable one-two-three in the Irish Cesarewitch from five runners, the trio being led home by Winged Hussar.