A rare runner at Hamilton for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien was handed a straightforward task after her only rival lost its jockey at the start. Eat Pray Run, the 1-33 favourite for the Book Hampton By Hilton Hamilton Park EBF Maiden Stakes on Monday, cruised to victory when the other horse stumbled and unseated its rider.
The two-year-old filly had run twice before, finishing fourth on her second start at Down Royal in July. Her sole opponent, the Iain Jardine-trained Supremissy, had raced just once, finishing last of 14 at Carlisle 20 days earlier and was a 10-1 outsider.
After the stalls opened, Supremissy went down on her nose and jockey Andrew Mullen fell off the side despite his best efforts. The riderless Supremissy galloped on in front, allowing Eat Pray Run and jockey Oisin Orr to finish the race at their own pace.
Track commentator Tony Ennis said: “Oisin Orr won't ride any easier winners in his whole career than this one.” The stewards’ report noted that no other horse or rider was involved and the incident was caused by the filly stumbling after the start.
