Dubai: Lily’s Angel, who was snapped up for only £8,000 at a Doncaster Bloodstock Sales (DBS) yearling sale, claimed the biggest purse of her sparkling career when winning Longines Saint Imier (Handicap) on the opening night of the Carnival.
Trained by Ger Lyons in Ireland the daughter of Middle Park Stakes (G1) winner Dark Angel became the first international winning at the event, that is customarily dominated by locally-based handlers.
Owner Clodagh Mitchell collected a hefty cheque of £40,490.80 which took the winner’s earnings past the £200,000 mark. An astonishing revenue for a horse that only fetched a four-figure sum at the sales.
Lyons, who in 2009 saddled his first Carnival winner when Summit Surge won at Nad Al Sheba, was obviously delighted to get off the mark early with Lily’a Angel winning a competitive race.
“We were rather optimistic that she will run well, but you can never be sure in an international race,” said Lyons, a leading trainer at Dundalk’s winter all-weather season. “She’s been in good order and this has long been the plan.
“It’s a great result and we’re hoping she can win again .”
Besides Lily’s Angel runners from the stables of Eddie Lynam, Mick Halford and Pat Shanahan were also seen in action at Meydan.
Lily’s Angel was previously trained by Richard Fahey who purchased her at the DBS sale, where she was the cheapest offspring of Dark Angel to change hands at the auction.
