Droopy Nine landed his second big competition of the year when successful in the Vulturi @ Stud Kingdom Derby over 525 yards at Tralee on Tuesday.

Pat Buckley’s runner, who landed the Future Champion Stake at Enniscorthy in October, got away to a good start and by halfway was three lengths in front.

Owen McKenna’s Swords Fern started to close but the line came in time for Droopys Nine, who held on to score by a head in 28.85sec (-20).

Droopys Nine is expected to be prepared for next year’s English Derby at Wimbledon.