The victory of Lord Massusus sets up a likely return to Leopardstown for the Group 2 Dullingham Park Stakes, on day one of Irish Champions Festival, held on the same day as the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.

The connections of Lord Massusus were celebrating after watching winning jockey Gary Carroll weave his way through runners to grab the inside rail and pass Alfred Munnings deep inside the final furlong of the mile-long race.

Speaking about the winning ride to Racing TV, assistant trainer Joe Murphy said: “With this horse, you have to take your time with him and let him find his feet and then he finishes his races well. When the horse is good enough, the gaps and breaks usually come.

“Lord Massusus is a very solid horse, very straightforward and a just a really nice horse to have in the yard. If he wins a couple of Group 3s and a Group 2 every year for the next two or three seasons we will be very happy!”

The presentation to winning owner John Bourke, who also bred Lord Massusus, was made by Ed Veale, Director of Racing and International Relations for the Bahrain Turf Club.

The Bahrain Turf Club’s sponsorship of the Desmond Stakes is part of an exciting partnership announced with Leopardstown Racecourse earlier this year. It includes the new ‘Dublin to Bahrain’ race series and culminates with the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champions Stakes at Leopardstown on 9^th September.