Devonshire Shines At The Curragh

Devonshire gained the biggest success of her career with an impressive win in the G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes over a mile at the Curragh, Ireland, on Saturday May 21.

The four-year-old filly, representing Willie McCreery, was smartly into her stride for Billy Lee and soon settled in second of the seven runners behind Queen Catrine.

She moved up to take the advantage with just over quarter of a mile left and skipped clear of her rivals inside the final furlong to beat Irish Rookie by two lengths in 1m 46.20s on yielding to soft ground.

Godolphin's other runner Lucida (Jim Bolger/Kevin Manning) kept on to finish fourth on her first appearance for more than 10 months.

Willie McCreery commented: "Billy Lee gave Devonshire a lovely ride and the bit of cover we had helped. We said beforehand that we wouldn't let it turn into a sprint.

"She had to carry a lot of weight last time and the 9st today was a big help because she is not that big but she is all heart.

"We will discuss things but there are some G1 options in North America which could suit her as she would have to carry less weight."

Billy Lee added: "Devonshire is as tough as teak. She travelled well the whole way and picked up again in front - she responded to every call I gave to her.

"She didn't get much of a run in the E P Taylor Stakes in Canada last year and was beaten less than four lengths, so I knew that she had a bit of class to run good races this year.

"She had the form in the book and has proven it today."