Fair Maiden narrowly beaten in G1 Natalma Stakes

Two-year-old filly Fair Maiden continued a bright start to her career with a close third on her G1 debut in the Natalma Stakes over a mile on turf at Woodbine, Canada, on Sunday, 15 September.

The Eoin Harty-trained daughter of Street Boss showed good early speed to settle in third on the outside of the seven-strong field behind Walk In Marrakesh and Abscond.

Fair Maiden ran on under Flavien Prat to dispute the lead entering the final furlong and continued to hold every chance until drifting out towards the centre of the course near the line.

Abscond beat Walk In Marrakesh by a nose in 1m 36.51s on yielding ground, with a further neck back to Fair Maiden.

Eoin Harty said: “Fair Maiden ran a good race. She doesn’t like the whip and shifted around whenever she was given a tap. The jockey gave her one good whack and she ducked out into the middle of the track, but she was rallying again on the line.

“She was beaten by less than half a length with her ears pricked and it was a good effort. I think we learned something today – she has a little bit of madam in her, which is a good thing.

“I will talk with Jimmy Bell and come up with a game-plan but I don’t think she lost anything in defeat today."