News Augusta Kate has Lee Westwood and Alan Shearer celebrating Punchestown glory

Augusta Kate has Lee Westwood and Alan Shearer celebrating Punchestown glory

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Augusta Kate struck gold for her celebrity owners in the concluding race on day two of the Punchestown Festival in the Weatherbys Ireland E.B.F. Mares Flat Race.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare carries the colours of the Masters Syndicate which includes leading owner Graham Wylie, former England international footballer Alan Shearer, golfer Lee Westwood and TV personalities Ant and Dec.

Augusta Kate made a big impression in winning her first two starts before finishing seventh against geldings in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

She was narrowly denied back against her own sex at Aintree and was sent off at 100-30 for the Weatherbys Ireland E.B.F. Mares Flat Race.

Patrick Mullins positioned the five-year-old close to the pace throughout while The Nipper cut out the early running.

There was a dramatic twist heading down the back straight as The Nipper, who had showed signs of waywardness when winning at Sandown last month, ran off the track and unseated Nina Carberry.

The well-backed Forge Meadow led into the home straight, travelling well, but Augusta Kate mowed her down and got up to score by three lengths.

The winner's stable companion, Glens Harmony, was third.

Shearer tweeted: "Boom yessssssss!!! Well done #AugustaKate πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘."

It was a second winner on the day for the winning jockey and a third winner for the champion trainer.

Mullins junior said: "That was fantastic. This mare is tough as teak.

"For a mare to go to Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown is very tough and Steph (Searle) who looks after her does a fantastic job.

"It's great to get a winner here and to have two is very special.

"It's fantastic for her owners. Lee Westwood was down in the yard this morning and is a lovely fellow. It's just a pity Alan Shearer isn't here, I'd like to meet him!

"She's not the biggest - I just about squeeze on to her - but it just shows you, it's the size of the heart that counts."