'It was strange with nobody there but I loved it' - Lyons lauds Siskin

There may have been empty stands and an eerie silence, but Ger Lyons said he loved every second of Siskin's victory in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas on Friday and is fully aware of the magnitude of the achievement.

Lyons' first Classic success was heart-in-your-mouth stuff for most of the race as Colin Keane took the brave route down the inside on Siskin, but he got out in the nick of time to beat the Ballydoyle brigade which were led home by Vatican City.

Colin Keane celebrates after winning the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas aboard SiskinCredit: Patrick McCann

Lyons said: "Martin Horan, my head lad, and [Shane, brother] have been with me from the very start. That's nearly 30 years so we appreciate this. We know what's it like not to have this quality. It's just huge. It was strange yesterday with nobody there, but I loved it all the same.

"Siskin is a very good horse. He's answered everything I have asked of him. He's a dream to train. I cannot stress enough how easy he is to train. Apart from Newmarket, that's the only blot on his copybook. He's learned from that, we've learned from that, and on the racetrack he has never let us down. I hope it continues, and the dream continues for a little bit longer."

Reflecting on the race itself, Lyons said he knew team tactics were going to come into play with the sextet from Ballydoyle but had no qualms with such an approach.

The trainer said: "We knew through the history books what the Ballydoyle riders were going to try to do. All is fair in love and war. It's a big boys' sport and you just put on your big pants and get out there and do the job. Both Colin and Siskin did that.

"For me, the best horse won. It wouldn't have been nice if he didn't. They have to do what they have to do and we have to do what we have to do."

Celebration time: Siskin and Colin Keane after winning at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The first Classic success for former champion jockey Keane clearly meant the world to his family, who were captured celebrating the enormous achievement while watching the behind-closed-doors fixture from home.

Keane's father Gerry, a popular trainer who captured a premier handicap at last year's Galway festival with smart performer Laughifuwant, appeared to be riding the finish with even more gusto than his son in the closing stages.

Speaking about his family after producing an outstanding ride on the colt he described as "a horse of dreams", Keane said: "I wouldn't be anywhere without them, and obviously my boss. I'm very grateful to all the people around me and just delighted."

He added of how the tactical affair unfolded: "Ger told me to ride him like the best horse in the race. We were drawn in stall two and when we jumped from that position, we had to sit and suffer as the race unfolded, hoping for the gaps to appear.

"Thankfully they did at the right time and I had the right horse to quicken up and put the race to bed."

Lyons was quick to point Siskin in the direction of the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood next month.

Colin Keane punches the air as Siskin crosses the line in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 GuineasCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Obviously I will talk to Teddy [Grimthorpe] and the team more in-depth, but Ascot has come too soon. Through the lockdown we said all along that we were going to aim him at the Curragh and we'll worry about things after the Curragh. We knew things would become more apparent after last night's race.

"It's now quite obvious that the Sussex Stakes is our next port of call and we'll worry about other things after that. We have plenty of options now which is fantastic. He quite obviously gets the mile and gets it well. He's a Classic-winning three-year-old so the rest of the year is a bonus in our eyes."

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