Queen Catrine returns to form for Lyons

Queen Catrine added a win at Group Three level to her form line when landing the Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Ridden by Gary Carroll, five-year-old Queen Catrine made all the running and showed resolution to keep battling for a narrow victory when under pressure from runner-up Most Beautiful.

This was the fourth victory of her career, involving two wins for current trainer Ger Lyons, and two for Charlie Hills. Her CV also includes a third place in the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac as a two-year-old.

Lyons praised Carroll for the winning ride, and said the pace-making role had suited the mare, but last year's winner, Ainippe, a stablemate of Queen Catrine, could finish only fifth of the six runners.

There was a Qatar Racing/Lyons double on the card, completed by Lustrous Light, who beat two rivals in a winners' race over 12 furlongs under Colin Keane. After making no show in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot this was much better from the colt, who scored easily.