Koniag`s triumph in the Legacy Wine Bar 3-year-old Handicap

Kieran Cotter secured his fourth win of the season with Koniag emerging victorious in the Legacy Wine Bar 3-year-old Handicap, ridden by Declan McDonogh.

Purchased for €55,000 as a yearling, the Kodiac gelding had a quiet juvenile season, with his most notable performance at Naas in September.

Despite his recent performance at Dundalk where he finished towards the back, Koniag defied the odds to win at 9/1 after initially being considered a 20/1 shot.

Racing in mid-division on the outside, the Gigginstown House Stud-bred horse surged forward in the straight and was in third place with a furlong to go. In a tight finish, Koniag managed to edge out Artful Approach and Nakasero to claim victory by a neck.

The favourite, Zenato, trained by Henry de Bromhead, finished fourth.

Cotter was pleased with Koniag's performance, noting that the horse showed promise as a three-year-old and has the potential to progress further.

“We fancied him a bit coming here and he's a horse that you wouldn't mind running over hurdles in time,” Cotter said.