Thrice awarded Gallinule glory at the Curragh

Thrice was awarded victory in the Group Three Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes after a lengthy stewards’ inquiry at the Curragh.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained Reyenzi was first past the post in tight finish, beating Thrice by a head in second, with a further head back to Emit in third.

Ben Coen had produced Reyenzi down the middle of the track to mount his challenge, but he began to drift towards the rails, first impeding the eventual fifth Tiberius Thunder before continuing to angle across the track, giving a bump to Emit on his inside, who in turn made contact with Thrice on the rails.

That pair both managed to recover their momentum and the trio fought out an exciting finish but a stewards’ inquiry was quickly called.

After an extended deliberation, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Thrice was promoted to first, with Emit awarded second place and Reyenzi relegated to third.

Thrice was sent off a 12-1 shot in the hands of Wayne Lordan, with his stablemate Shackleton finishing a disappointing fourth under Ryan Moore as the 6-4 favourite, although the rider reported he had also been slightly hampered in the final furlong.

Coen was suspended for four days after the stewards found he had ridden carelessly.