QUEEN Catrine caused a bit of an upset in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Brownstown Stakes when holding off the sustained challenge of Most Beautiful at Fairyhouse.

The second choice of Ger Lyons' two runners in the Group 3, Queen Catrine was sent off at 14-1 among a field of only six.

Gary Carroll set out to make all on the former Charlie Hills-trained four-year-old, who had been out of sorts so far this season. When Most Beautiful loomed up alongside her with over a furlong to run, David Wachman's charge seemed likely to score.

However, Queen Catrine knuckled down to great effect to add to her listed win at Naas last season.

Dermot Weld's odds-on favourite Raymonda never looked like striking a blow while Ainippe, a stablemate of the winner, finished out of the frame.

Lyons said: "(It was a) good strong ride from Gary (Carroll). We were talking beforehand and we discussed it plenty yesterday, we both said we have the two best fillies in the race, if they come to what we are seeing at home. In fairness, they probably haven't had their ground all summer.

"I just said to both lads 'what do you want to do?' We were nearly going to jump and run with Ainippe and then we switched back at the last minute when Gary said he would motorbike her (Queen Catrine) as she had the best draw. I said to them both to commit 100 per cent to whatever they were going to do and go down on your sword.

"I'd say we will stop with Ainippe once we discuss it with the Sheikh (Fahad Al Thani). She just looks like she is not in love with the game anymore."

Lyons had earlier won the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden with Noivado (7-4 favourite) with Colin Keane on board.

"He ran a lovely race in Leopardstown but like a clown I stepped him straight up to seven (furlongs). If you watch the Curragh, he just arrived at the furlong pole to win his race," said Lyons.

"While he might be a seven or a mile horse later, he's physically not there yet. He's a light horse, even though he doesn't look it. I think he's a horse with a bright future and I think he did it well. I would be very happy with him. The minute he got to the front his ears pricked. I don't know what he beat, but I like this horse."