Veteran trainer Peter McMaster secured his first win of the 2024 racing season when his four-year-old American-bred chestnut filly, Uncaptured Empress, dominated the Distinctly Irish Trophy on Saturday, October 5.
The Restricted Allowance event, contested over one mile, brought together native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two). Uncaptured Empress proved unstoppable, crossing the finish line in front to hand McMaster a long awaited and gratifying victory.
With Raddesh Roman in the saddle, Uncaptured Empress burst out of the gates, taking the lead thereby setting the early pace. As they thundered down the backstretch, Uncaptured Empress led the pack, with Princess Akilah (Matthew Bennett), Cosmic Force (Dane Dawkins), and Sweet Victory (Tevin Foster) hot on her heels. But Roman knew his mount had more to give.
Approaching the half-mile mark (800m), Uncaptured Empress shifted into high gear, leaving her rivals struggling to keep pace. Roman expertly guided her around the final bend, and Uncaptured Empress powered home, crossing the finish line 6 ¼ lengths ahead of Sweet Victory and Dimetry P. The impressive victory was sealed in a respectable time of 1:43.3 (25.0 x 49.4 x 1:17.1).
