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News

Duo set for OTI debut at Dundalk

Two promising Irish colts will make their debut in the navy and gold silks this weekend. Ottoman Emperor and Catena Zapata will step out on the all-weather track at Dundalk, Ireland on Friday evening Irish time (Saturday morning Australian time).

Excelebration colt, Ottoman Emperor, will launch his racing career in the 2000m 3yo Maiden event (Race 2 – 3:55 am AEDT) for Johnny Murtagh. The beautifully-bred three-year-old who is out of Tertullian mare, Ibiza Empress, has drawn barrier six in the field of fourteen and will be ridden by Ben Coen.

Murtagh couldn’t be happier with Ottoman Emperor, reporting to owners that he has been doing everything right and that he expects the colt to run very well on debut.

Catena Zapata, a three-year-old son of Vadamos, lines up in a 3yo Handicap over 1600m (Race 5 – 5:30 am AEDT) with Wayne Lordan riding from barrier four. Trainer Henry de Bromhead, who is off the back of a successful Cheltenham Festival, reports that he is delighted with the colt’s progress and anticipates that he’ll put in a competitive first-up performance.

OTI’s CEO, Terry Henderson, said that the team is looking forward to both horses debuting for their new ownership groups.

“We purchased Ottoman Emperor late last year and Catena Zapata earlier this year. We saw great potential in both of them.

“Ottoman Emperor impressed us in a trial performance last year where he finished second, which was actually on the all-weather track at Dundalk.

“All reports from Murtagh’s stable is that he has developed exceptionally well. The plan for him this season is to progress through the classes of 3yo races in Europe,” Henderson said.

“We’re hoping Catena Zapata can reproduce his impressive winning performance last year at the same track.

“Henry de Bromhead, who has trained Catena Zapata since he was a yearling, holds a very high opinion of him. If all goes well, he will be targeted towards the European 3yo Classics later this year,” Henderson added.

OTI wishes the connections of Catena Zapata and Ottoman Emperor the best of luck!