Tyros winner Florida Bay caps big day for Mehmas

A golden run for Mehmas 2yos continued on Thursday as Florida Bay made all to win the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown for the Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien.

Bounced out by Wayne Lordan, Florida Bay never saw another rival in the 7f contest, maintaining a healthy advantage all the way up the straight to win by a length-and-a-quarter.

"He jumped and bowled away," said Wayne Lordan. "He's a really good-moving colt so you could let him use his stride and off the bend today, he quickened pretty well and got to the line good. Today, no one bothered me and it worked out fine."

Florida Bay is now the winner of two of four starts.

"We thought he was a nice horse around here in his maiden [when third to Chesham Stakes winner Nova Sul], which worked out well, and then he won the next day at Fairyhouse," said Aidan O'Brien. "Jack [Cleary] rode him at Naas [when fourth in a Listed race] and he just said it tested his stamina and to put a line through the run.

"We thought this race would suit him, Wayne gave him a lovely ride and was very happy. He could come back for the Futurity and he's not short of pace so something like the Breeders' Cup could be an aim in time."

Florida Bay was bred by Kennedy, Wall and NWC Bloodstock out of the winning Ripponette, a Le Havre half-sister to Grade 1 winner Reggane. He was a €270,000 foal purchase by Eddie O'Leary's Lynn Lodge Stud and resold to current connections for 375,000gns as a Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling.

His win came on the same day that the Mehmas colt Zero Error made a striking winning debut at Sandown Park for owner/breeder Eric Chen and trainers John and Thady Gosden. Meanwhile over at Vichy, 3yo Memory broke her maiden for Al Shaqab Racing.