Tag Archive for: Adrian Keatley

Smart mare Gale Mahler back at Cheltenham next week

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Gale Mahler will return to Cheltenham next Friday in an attempt to get back to winning ways.

Adrian Keatley’s mare had been a revelation prior to her outing in Grade Two company at Cheltenham’s opening meeting.

She had won two bumpers and her first four runs over hurdles, including a Listed event at Galway where she beat mares from the Mullins, De Bromhead and Elliott yards.

Sent off at odds-on to continue her winning spree, she had no answer to Dan Skelton’s Valgrand, but Keatley feels she has a valid excuse.

“She overheated and was shown to be in season a little bit, which is strange for a mare at that time of year, but there you go,” said Keatley.

“She’s perfect now, not a bother on her and back in great spirits so we’ll take her back down to Cheltenham for the two-five race (Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle).

“She probably wants stepping up in trip to be honest so we’ll go over two-five on Friday week.

“She had every opportunity to down tools the last day but she didn’t, she’s tough as old boots. You can’t be too disappointed when you are second in a Grade Two. The winner looks decent, they are fairly bullish about him too.

“It’s always been the plan to keep her going to the spring now, that was why she had her break after Galway.”



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Magnificent seven-timer in Gale Mahler’s sights

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The prolific Gale Mahler will bid to secure a seventh successive victory in the Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.

Adrian Keatley’s mare has not looked back since finishing fourth on her debut at Sedgefield in March, with back-to-back bumper wins at Southwell and Kelso followed by four triumphs over hurdles.

She has not been seen in competitive action since dominating her rivals in a Listed event at the Galway Festival in late July, but is reported to be in rude health ahead of her return on the opening day of Cheltenham’s season.

“She came back to the yard in good nick after her break after Galway and we’ve been happy with her ever since,” said Keatley.

“We’re very much looking forward to Friday, hopefully we can get the job done with her and get her owner (Jimmy Fyffe) his first winner in Cheltenham.

“It can’t be any harder than going to Galway I’m sure.”

On future plans, the trainer added: “We’ll get Friday out of the way and see where we go from there.

“Maybe we’ll go back there for the November meeting, but we’ll very much get Friday out of the way first.”

Path d’Oroux in action at Punchestown
Path d’Oroux in action at Punchestown (Niall Carson/PA)

Gale Mahler is opposed by four other unbeaten hurdlers in the Paul Nicholls-trained Brave Knight, Dan Skelton’s Valgrand, Imaginarium from Olly Murphy’s yard and Sam Drinkwater’s Strong Foundations.

The Grade Two line-up is completed by Dancing In Paris, an 87-rated Flat performer for Ian Williams who makes his hurdling bow.

There is a strong Irish presence on the undercard, particularly in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices’ Chase, with Keatley’s outsider Noble Anthem the sole home-trained runner in a field of five.

The likely favourite is Gavin Cromwell’s high-class chaser Path d’Oroux, with Jazzy Matty (Cian Collins), San Salvador (Joseph O’Brien) and Shecouldbeanything (Gordon Elliott) also making the trip across the Irish Sea.

The most valuable race of the afternoon is the £100,000 squareintheair.com Handicap Chase, with last year’s winner Dancing On My Own (Henry de Bromhead) back to defend his crown under top-weight.

His opponents include Matata (Nigel Twiston-Davies), Calico (Dan Skelton), Arclight (Nicky Henderson) and course and distance winner Triple Trade (Joe Tizzard).



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Keatley announces Symbol Of Strength sale

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Adrian Keatley’s smart two-year-old Symbol Of Strength has been sold to continue his career abroad.

Sent off at 80-1 for the Gimcrack at York, he finished third, just a head behind runner-up and subsequent Middle Park winner Shadow Of Light.

He proved that was no fluke when comfortably winning the Group Three Sirenia Stakes at Kempton on his next outing.

Keatley had hoped to run him in either the Mill Reef at Newbury or the Middle Park at Newmarket, but soft ground scuppered those plans and he has since been sold.

“Symbol Of Strength has been sold,” said Keatley.

“There was always a possibility and now he’s been sold to Hong Kong, we wish them well.”

Keatley trains both on the level and over jumps, proving his versatility when sending Gale Mahler to win a Listed novice hurdle at the Galway Festival and she is due to return at Cheltenham’s November meeting.

“Gale Mahler is in very good form,” Keatley continued.

“We gave her a break after Galway and she came back fresh and well.

“We’re looking at Cheltenham in November, where she will either run in the Grade Two novice hurdle (registered as the Hyde Novices’ Hurdle) or the Greatwood.”



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Breeders’ Cup coming into focus for Symbol Of Strength

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A trip to the Breeders’ Cup is a possibility for Symbol Of Strength after sidestepping the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Third as an 80-1 shot for the Gimcrack at York, Adrian Keatley’s youngster proved that effort was no fluke with a determined Group Three victory in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton last time out.

The Kodiac colt was due to return to Group Two level at the weekend, but with heavy rain on Saturday morning turning the ground heavy at the Berkshire track, Keatley decided to draw stumps.

“Between 5am and 7am I think there was about 15 millimetres of rain, which is a hectic amount of rain and he’s too good a horse to be running on that ground,” said the Classic-winning trainer.

“He’s proven at Group Three level and Group Two level, so it was a no-brainer not to run him.”

Symbol Of Strength has the option of turning out next weekend in the Group One Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes, but with Keatley concerned conditions at Newmarket also likely to be unsuitable, he could round off his juvenile campaign in California.

Keatley added: “It’s looking like the weather is going to be the same for Newmarket, so I’d say it’s looking like the ground is going to be gone on him there as well.

“I’d love to go to the Middle Park, but I think the weather has gone against us.

“The Breeders’ Cup is a possibility, but there’s plenty of enquiries for him. If he’s not sold, the Breeders’ Cup is definitely an option.

“It’s all up in the air at the moment.”



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Symbol Of Strength bidding to show big-race intent in Sirenia Stakes

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Adrian Keatley is backing Symbol Of Strength to showcase his talent when the Gimcrack third lines up in the Unibet Sirenia Stakes at Kempton on Saturday.

Only fifth on debut at Beverley in May, he made huge strides to impress at Ayr when shedding his maiden status at the second attempt.

That promising performance was enough to book his ticket to York for the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes last month and although sent off an 80-1 outsider he surprised plenty but not his trainer when a length third to Cool Hoof Luke.

Entered in both the Mill Reef and Middle Park Stakes, Keatley sees this Group Three event – where he is rated over 10lb higher than the next best on official ratings – as the perfect opportunity to register a stakes success with his son of Kodiac before those lofty targets come on the radar.

“It looks a nice opportunity for him, definitely, if you go on ratings,” said Keatley.

“He’s in the Mill Reef and he’s also in the Middle Park and he’s raring to go at home. He’s only had three runs and he’s come out of York in such good fettle that I thought this could be a nice opportunity for him to get his head in front again, hopefully, and a good boost of confidence going into his next race.

“I think the only people surprised at York were the ones looking at what price he was, we were very confident of a big run. It takes a fair horse to break the track record over five and a half furlongs at Ayr and it has been proven in the past to be a great track for trials for big two-year-old races.

“It would be nice if we could get a Group Three under our belt now before looking ahead to later in the autumn.”

Sylvester Kirk has Brian to thank for his only two victories in 2024 and his star performer returns to Pattern company after trouncing the opposition in a valuable sales event at Newmarket last time.

Brian slammed his rivals at Newmarket
Brian slammed his rivals at Newmarket (Adam Morgan/PA)

Placed behind Bedtime Story in the Chesham earlier in the season, the son of Shaman has always been held in high regard and Kirk has elected to come here rather than wait for the Rockingham Stakes which takes place at York next month.

“It’s only a couple of weeks since he won at Newmarket, but it’s a race where there is one horse rated 107 and the rest are all around 95 and in the 90s,” said Kirk.

“We were looking at the Rockingham and I know no Group race is easy, but you go there and there could be five, six, even seven horses rated over 100 so it’s just an opportunity we will take and hopefully he handles Kempton.

“Hopefully he will run well, it would be lovely. We’ve already had lots of fun with him and it would be nice to see him perform well.”

Also kept busy this season is Hugo Palmer’s It Ain’t Two who counts former England international striker Michael Owen among her owners and has run a further eight times since her winning debut at Newmarket in April.

It Ain't Two with Michael Owen (right) after winning on debut
It Ain’t Two with Michael Owen (right) after winning on debut (Bradley Collyer/PA)

She registered her third career victory on the July course recently, and her handler is keen to snare some valuable black type with a filly who thrives on racing.

“She was second in the Dragon Stakes at Sandown earlier in the season, but I think six furlongs is very much her trip at the moment,” said Palmer.

“She was very good when winning at Chester last weekend and I was quite surprised actually that she only went up 2lb. Being a filly I think her days in nurseries are probably behind her.

“She seems to really enjoy her racing and is really tough and I doubt this will be her last two-year-old start either. She’s already got black type but we’ve got to keep trying to win one

“We’ll give it our best shot, we’ve not done a lot with her since Chester but she seems to be thriving and we will see how we go.”



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Gale Mahler given extended break ahead of spring targets

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Gale Mahler is on a well-deserved break having extended her winning run to six at the Galway Festival last week.

Adrian Keatley’s mare has made giant strides this summer, winning bumpers at Southwell and Kelso in May before having her attentions switched to hurdling.

Victories at Market Rasen twice and Uttoxeter preceded her trip to Ireland where she faced a different calibre of opposition, taking on horses from Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead and Gavin Cromwell.

She was in a league of her own, however, with Henry Brooke guiding her to a 10-length win and the sky looks the limit.

“She came out of the race in great condition, we were absolutely delighted with her and she’s gone on a deserved break this morning for five or six weeks,” said Keatley.

“When we bring her back in we’ll campaign her with very much the spring in mind.

“We’re not going to be running her on heavy ground in the winter, but we will pick and choose a couple of nice races to dip our toe in and see what level she can go at.

“You can’t knock anything she has done so far, the Irish handicapper gave her 135 the other day so he holds her in that kind of regard. At that level she’s a filly that is well entitled to go for the top handicaps in the spring, but we feel there’s a lot more to come from her.

“She’s very versatile, she’s gone from two and a half miles to two-two and back down to two miles which is not an easy task for a National Hunt horse.

“We’ve the big festivals at the back of our minds in the spring and we’ll test the water once or twice before then. The way she handled the place there’s no reason not to think she wouldn’t go back to Galway, but there’s loads of pots to think about.

“When she comes back in we’ll make plans and work our way back from the spring.”



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Yorkshire raiders Gale Mahler and Reidh take Galway by storm

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There was double delight for Britain on day two of this year’s Galway Festival, as Yorkshire raiders Gale Mahler and Reidh both hit the target.

Gale Mahler made the journey over to extend her winning sequence to six with a smooth display in the Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle at the Galway Festival.

Trained by Irishman Adrian Keatley, who is now based near Malton, she was partnered expertly by Henry Brooke.

A winner of two bumpers, she had taken seamlessly to hurdles, winning at Market Rasen twice and Uttoxeter, but she faced a different calibre of opposition – with Willie Mullins, Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliott and Gavin Cromwell all represented in the Listed race.

The result never looked in much doubt, though, as the 9-2 shot, who was available at double-figure prices overnight, swooped around the outside of Paul Townend on Mullins’ Gaucher at the second last.

Gale Mahler and Henry Brooke cruised to a 10-length win
Gale Mahler and Henry Brooke cruised to a 10-length win (Niall Carson/PA)

Le Coq Hardi made ground from the rear under Rachael Blackmore but Gale Mahler was in a different league and powered to a 10-length victory.

While she holds an entry in a handicap on the closing day of the Festival, Keatley suggested a break is now on the cards.

“We had to step her up in grade to see what we had and while it is very hard to judge English and Irish form, especially at this time of year, she was very impressive. She was well able to hold her own and we can now go home and start making proper plans,” he said.

“She doesn’t mind that ground, will handle slow ground too, so it’s onwards and upwards. She is very straightforward and genuine and while she doesn’t really need cheekpieces on, I’m afraid to take them off at this stage, as she hasn’t put a foot wrong.

“She is a very good mare and we’ll target some of the big races in the autumn and next spring now.”

He went on: “It’s a while since I was last in Galway but this place has been good to me and she has to be my most impressive winner here.

“I am mostly a Flat trainer but we love to have a few jumpers, as it keeps us busy during the winter, and this is one we will really look forward to.

“You always feel vulnerable coming back over taking on Willie (Mullins), Gordon (Elliott) and the lads, so there was a lot of satisfaction in this. I’ll go home, talk to Jimmy (Fyffe, owner) and I think she deserves a little break now.”

Richard Fahey’s Reidh made an almost identical trip across the Irish Sea from Malton to prevail in the caulfieldindustrial.com Handicap after being sent off as the 100-30 favourite.

The four-year-old’s rider Oisin Orr had an anxious wait for room between the final two furlongs but Reidh ran on strongly once finding daylight and collared Excuzio Joe in the closing stages to score by a head.

The Galway Races Summer Festival – Day Two – Galway Racecourse
Reidh (left) ridden by jockey Oisin Orr on their way to winning (Niall Carson/PA).

Fahey said: “I had no runners in Goodwood today but felt nervous and my heart was thumping out of my chest. To have a winner here with the lads is great, as I started off training for the late Tommy Staunton 28 years ago and he was a brother of (owner) John.

“John and Jimmy (Stauntons) are from Mayo, so for them and me to have a winner here is fantastic and I’ve loved it. This means an awful lot and I think Tommy found the gap (in the race) and opened it up for us!”

Reidh struck at Thirsk last month and Fahey added: “The handicapper put him up 10lb for winning a bad race, so I thought that scuppered our chances, but getting into (in-running) trouble might have won him the race, as he got a chance to fill up and finish off.

“I’m flying back in the morning and it is actually easier to fly from Gatwick to Galway and come here, than it is to drive to Goodwood. We’ll keep the horse here in Galway, as he is in on Sunday, but I don’t think he will get in.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Bubbling (13-8 favourite) looks a classy sort and opened her account at the second time of asking in the seven-furlong fillies’ maiden, scoring by five lengths under Wayne Lordan.

“She obviously had an eye-catching run the last day at Leopardstown and the form has worked out well. She made eye-catching progress in the last half-furlong then and really hit the line hard,” said stable representative Chris Armstrong.

“She is a typical No Nay Never, has lots of natural pace, she really quickened right to the line and Wayne gave her a lovely ride. She really sprinted the last furlong and while she is still a bit babyish, that trip is perfect for her.

“She is bang in the mix for the Debutante Stakes now and for all those good seven-furlong races. We had her brother Wichita but we ended up never seeing his full potential, so this is an exciting filly to have.

“When you look down through the roll of honour at Galway, it is a good track for educating horses, you need a proper one to win and Kyprios won here many years ago.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Mexicali Rose picked up the most valuable prize on day two when landing the €120,000 Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap under 5lb claimer Wayne Hassett.

Carrying the colours of television pundit Kevin Blake, the four-year-old came home strongly alongside Norwalk Havoc and got the verdict by a neck at 12-1.

The Galway Races Summer Festival – Day Two – Galway Racecourse
Jockey Wayne Hassett after winning with Mexicali Rose (Niall Carson/PA).

Hassett, 18, said: “Joseph gave me loads of confidence going out, we broke a little slow but they went a good gallop and that’s what she needed. Wherever I pointed her, she went – she fought her way through and she really came up the hill.

“I rode her in Gowran last time out when they went a little too slow for her, as she wants a good pace and further. Everything went perfect today and she might improve again.”

He added: “Joseph puts confidence in me and his other jockeys and it pays off. He is wonderful to work with, he helps me out every day and everything I need, I ask him.

“Whatever I ask the jockeys in Joseph’s, including Shane Crosse, who is retired now, they teach me and you learn something new every day.

“I’m delighted to get this win under my belt and thanks to Joseph and Kevin Blake. I came up thinking I had a good chance and thank God she won.”



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Keatley happy to be going to Coventry with Francisco’s Piece

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It is eight years since Adrian Keatley tasted Classic success, but he could have the horse to take him back to the big time when Francisco’s Piece goes for Royal Ascot glory in the Coventry Stakes.

Jet Setting gave Keatley his biggest winner to date when claiming the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 2016 and the now North Yorkshire-based Irishman has been slowly rediscovering a few gems in recent years.

Following a winning start at Pontefract, Francisco’s Piece went down fighting to the highly-touted Shadow Army at York, before giving a glimpse that his handler may have unearthed the real deal when impressing at Listed level at Chantilly.

He now steps up to six furlongs as he tackles the opening two-year-old race of the week and the Francisco’s Piece story could have an added twist still to come when he goes under the hammer at the Goffs London Sale.

“We’ve been delighted with him ever since he started off his career with us and we’ve been delighted with all his performances,” said Keatley.

“He’s very unlucky not to have three ‘ones’ beside his name and he handled France very well. He is a horse with a great mind and travelled over and back to France very well.

“We’re very happy heading into the race on Tuesday and think he has been crying out for the step up to six furlongs. Paul (Mulrennan, jockey) is very confident he will really like the track and we’re happy enough with the draw, being near enough in the middle.

“This is what we do the job for every day of the week and we’re trying to look for these horses, so hopefully he can do the business for us.”

Charlie Appleby has never won the Coventry, but will hope that changes with his impressive Lingfield scorer Al Qudra, who joins stablemate Symbol Of Honour in the six-furlong event.

“Al Qudra has had his three starts and he won well on his last start. He takes a nice bit of experience into the race and I feel the stiff six furlongs will suit him,” said Appleby in a Godolphin preview video.

“Symbol Of Honour was very green first time up at Newmarket, but came forward nicely to go and win well at Lingfield. He improved so much from his first to his second run and we feel he’s come forward again.

“With a bit of luck we have two competitive runners there.”

Al Qudra had previously finished behind Richard Hannon’s The Actor at Newmarket and as someone who assisted his father in sending out Canford Cliffs to win this contest in 2009, he is well qualified in his assessment that his colt is being underestimated in a race without a standout.

“He has appeared there under the radar, he’s a real two-year-old and I like him a lot,” said Hannon.

The Actor (third left) winning at Newmarket
The Actor (third left) winning at Newmarket (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

“He holds it together mentally and I’m hoping for a big run. He’s a very nice horse, six furlongs will suit him. He’s drawn four and I’ve been delighted with him since Newmarket.

“For me, I haven’t seen an outstanding two-year-old yet and it looks quite an open Coventry.”

Big-spending Wathnan Racing have three colts in the mix and having driven up and down the country, retained jockey James Doyle has elected to partner Richard Fahey’s Hamilton scorer Catalyse over stablemate Columnist and Archie Watson’s Electrolyte.

“James will ride Catalyse in the Coventry, he was impressive up at Hamilton,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser to the owners. “There was another breeze-up horse in second that was highly regarded.

“It’s the Coventry and it’s very tough. There will be plenty of horses going there with the same profile as him, but it’s great to be going with a horse that has a chance, that is all you can ask for.”

Camille Pissarro has impressed in two starts
Camille Pissarro has impressed in two starts (PA)

Camille Pissarro is the sole Ballydoyle entrant as Aidan O’Brien’s Marble Hill Stakes runner-up bids to follow up last year’s win for connections by River Tiber.

“He obviously made a very good start when winning on his debut at Navan and, although he was narrowly beaten in the Marble Hill last time, I think that is a strong line of form,” jockey Ryan Moore told Betfair.

“We think he has improved and come forward since that run – he was still learning at the Curragh – and he has a good chance.

“He is a nice, big, well-related colt with a fair bit to recommend him, as do a lot of others in here, in truth.”

As identified by Moore, O’Brien’s son Joseph also has strong claims with impressive Curragh scorer Cowardofthecounty.

He has been kept fresh following his win in the early stages of the campaign and is joined in the line-up by Marble Hill third Midnight Strike, whose form ties in nicely with Camille Pissarro.

Karl Burke’s Andesite and Richard Spencer’s Yah Mo Be There finished first and second when they clashed in a warm York heat in May and lock horns once again, while John and Thady Gosden’s narrow Kempton runner-up Ingot is one seeking to shed his maiden tag on the big stage.

“He’s a well-bred son of Blue Point, being out of a dual Group One winner in Integral,” said Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud.

“He ran promisingly on his debut, I’m not saying he’s necessarily going to win, but I think he deserves to take his chance.

“We’ll see if he can improve and see what happens.”

The Amo-racing owned debutant Angelo Buonarroti, who cost €1million at the recent breeze-up sales, will be a first-ever British runner for Raphael Freire.



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Keatley excited to be heading to Ascot with Francisco’s Piece

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Adrian Keatley’s Francisco’s Piece will head to the Norfolk Stakes via the Goffs London Sale on the eve of the Royal meeting.

The two-year-old has done little wrong in his career so far, winning on debut at Pontefract and then going down by just a short head when giving weight to the winner in a York novice last month.

He headed across to Chantilly for his next assignment, contesting the five-furlong Prix la Fleche at Listed level on the same card as the Prix du Jockey Club.

There was a comfortable winner, taking the race by two and a half lengths under James Doyle to book his ticket to Royal Ascot in a fortnight.

He will target the Norfolk Stakes, a five-furlong Group Two for juveniles, but prior to the fixture he will go under the hammer at the Goffs London Sale on the evening of June 17.

The event is held in Kensington Palace Gardens and offers a small selection of horses for sale, often with Royal Ascot entries such as last year’s top lot, £1.1million purchase Givemethebeatboys.

“He came home in great nick from France, we were delighted with his performance and he did it in a great time,” said Keatley.

“He is extremely unlucky that he doesn’t have three wins to his name, he lost virtually no weight and we’re really looking forward to the Norfolk with him.

“I think he’ll be a big player, he’ll get an entry in a couple of different races but the Norfolk will be where he goes and he’ll be in the London Sale prior to Ascot.

“We’re very excited, we’re really looking forward to going to Ascot with a live chance.”

Shadow Army, who narrowly defeated Francisco’s Piece at York, has since been purchased by Wathnan Racing and will take aim at the Coventry now his form has been boosted by the Chantilly run.

“The horse that he gave 5lb to at York, they think an awful lot of him and they’re touting him as a Coventry horse,” Keatley said.

“We gave him 5lb and our horse was very unlucky to be beaten, he’s given away weight to all his rivals in all his runs so he’s doing everything right.

“He’s a beautiful, big, strong horse so we’re really looking forward to Ascot with him.”

Wathnan Racing also own Ballymount Boy, who Keatley trains and who enjoyed a successful two-year-old year when second in the Richmond and the Acomb and then the winner of the Prospect Stakes.

The colt made his seasonal debut in the Greenham but was well beaten there, with a setback now stalling his season slightly.

Keatley said: “He had a little hold-up in the month gone so he’s not going to be going to Ascot, he’ll probably be out next in a Group Three at the end of the month in Newcastle, that’s his target, with a view then to go to Goodwood.”



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Ballymount Boy limbering up for new campaign

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Adrian Keatley’s smart performer Ballymount Boy is pencilled in for a step up in trip as he limbers up for the impending Flat season.

The Camacho colt enjoyed a good two-year-old campaign, winning a Hamilton maiden before catching the eye when finishing just a length behind Vandeek in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Vandeek subsequently went on to score twice at Group One level in the Prix Morny and the Middle Park, while Ballymount Boy was runner-up in the Acomb and then the winner of the Listed Prospect Stakes at Doncaster on his final start of the term.

After the Goodwood run Ballymount Boy was purchased by Wathnan Racing, who have appointed James Doyle as their retained rider.

Ballymount Boy winning the Prospect Stakes at Doncaster
Ballymount Boy winning the Prospect Stakes at Doncaster (Richard Sellers/PA)

Doyle partnered the imposing Ballymount Boy during his Doncaster victory and is set to sit on him ahead of the new season as plans are formulated for his three-year-old campaign.

After running predominantly over six furlongs last season, Keatley’s charge has emerged from his winter break looking like he will eventually appreciate further and both the Greenham and the Craven Stakes are possible targets.

Keatley said: “James Doyle is going to come and sit on him next week and we will finalise plans closer to the time, but the Greenham is a possibility I think, or he could end up going to Newmarket in April.

“He’s a fine horse, he looks more like a seven-furlong horse or a miler this year than he did last year.

“Last year he was built like a big, strong, sprinting two-year-old – I think he’s leaner this time around and hopefully he can keep progressing from where he is now.

“We were happy to finish off the season how we did with him last year and we’re hoping he can pick up where he left off.”



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Ballymount Boy looks hot Prospect at Doncaster

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Ballymount Boy secured a deserved big-race victory with a determined display in the William Hill Prospect Stakes at Doncaster.

Adrian Keatley’s star juvenile pushed subsequent Middle Park hero Vandeek to a length in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood in August and filled the runner-up spot again in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York three weeks later.

A tilt at Group One glory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend did not work out, but he made the most of having his sights lowered to Listed company on Town Moor.

James Doyle’s mount was a 5-2 joint-favourite dropping back from seven to six furlongs and appeared at pains to play his cards as late as possible.

Alaskan Gold looked the likely winner after grabbing the lead inside the final furlong, but Ballymount Boy eventually reeled him in and was half a length to the good at the line.

Doyle said: “Adrian told me to try and get there fairly late, probably not quite that late but it worked out well in the end.

“We didn’t want him to fly the lid as he overraced in France the last day, so I tried to get him to break a bit steadier and we overdid it slightly, so it put us on the back foot.

“It gave us plenty of targets and there was a point I was going to come out and try and close, but then we would have had daylight for a good two and a half furlongs so I just thought I’d try and be brave and on this ground it can open up. It worked out nicely.

“What he’s doing this year is purely on ability. Even before I hit the front there, he pricked his ears and had a look about. I don’t think he’s fully wised up to what it’s all about, so hopefully when that comes next year, they’ll have a bit of fun with him.”

Ballymount Boy (fourth left) is delivered with his challenge
Ballymount Boy (fourth left) is delivered with his challenge (Richard Sellers/PA)

Keatley said: “We’re relieved more than pleased, just to get a win into him. It’s good to finish the year like that. He’s had a couple of hard races and it’s nice for the horse.

“He’s been on the go since the breeze-ups and he’s going to get a deserved break. Things didn’t work out running downhill into the bend in France but he’s a good horse.

“Hopefully we’ll have another good summer with him next year. We’ll start off at six furlongs, I hope he can start on a winning note in the spring and go on from there.”



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Legendary Day makes Mallard impact

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Legendary Day is unlikely to be seen back over hurdles any time soon having gained his biggest pay day to date in the Betfred Mallard Handicap at Doncaster.

Trained by Adrian Keatley, the five-year-old was bought out of Hughie Morrison’s yard as a dual purpose prospect, yet despite winning on his first attempt over timber, two subsequent defeats tempered enthusiasm.

In any case, when you have a Flat horse capable of winning £60,000 handicaps you are probably better off sticking to what you know and that is what Keatley, an Irish 1,000 Guineas-winning trainer with Jet Setting when still based in his homeland, intends to do.

It was a narrow success – one of the biggest of 3lb claimer Mark Winn’s career – having been left in front a long way from home, but Legendary Day (12-1) held off 33-1 chance Oneforthegutter by a short-head.

Keatley said: “We bought him for 8,500 guineas to do both and he’s won over £70,000 for us now, but I won’t be in a rush to go back hurdling with him as he’s not a natural. He did win first time over them but he’s not good at getting in and popping, so he could damage himself with his technique.

“There’s nothing wrong with his technique on the Flat. He’s been knocking on the door in these sort of races. Joe Fanning rode him at York earlier in the season and was adamant he’d win one. Oisin (Murphy) rode him the last day in a big race at York and was very happy with him also.

“I said to Mark today, I just thought with his 3lb it might help us get there and it did.

“I’d been watching Mark for a while, he’s a good rider and an astute young man with a good head on his shoulders and I just thought that 3lb would be crucial.

“He was following the fancied one (The Goat) who quickly fell away, so he found himself in front and there was nothing he could do. Thankfully it worked.”

Keatley went on: “We’ve had a good year. We restocked in the middle of last year, we’ve 21 boxes, we rotate as we go and keep it as fresh as we can.

“These are the days you want to have winners, the big meetings.”

Winn said: “He travelled through the race lovely but when I asked him he found it a bit too well and I was in front a long time.

“He has cheekpieces for a reason, but even so he stuck at it very well. It was tight enough and you never like to be too confident.”

Richard Hannon’s Circe had shown up well on her debut at Sandown earlier in the month and had little trouble opening her account at the second attempt in the Coopers Marquees EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Circe (second right) looks to have a bright future
Circe (second right) looks to have a bright future (Tim Goode/PA)

In truth, not many got involved, with Marie Ellen trying to see them all off from the front but Sean Levey always looked confident.

The 3-1 favourite hit the front still on the bridle just over a furlong out and despite looking green in the closing stages, won by a length and a half.

Levey said: “She was very impressive, we liked her first time and she ran in a quality race, beaten by two horses with experience.

“We hoped she’d stepped forwards and she has. I would have liked to have seen her put her head down a bit more and run right through the line, but I didn’t really get a chance to do that as she did it too easy.

“She’s a big horse with plenty of scope and she’ll make a nice three-year-old.”

William Buick guided the George Boughey-trained Baradar (100-30 favourite) to an easy win in the Doncaster Groundworks Reinforcements Handicap, while Ralph Beckett’s Mistressofillusion (7-2) made all in the British EBF Ruby Anniversary Premier Fillies’ Handicap.



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ParisLongchamp the next stop for Ballymount Boy

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Adrian Keatley’s Ballymount Boy will head to ParisLongchamp in search of Group One glory after encouraging runs at both Goodwood and York.

The imposing Camacho colt demonstrated plenty of ability in his first two performances and made the step from a maiden victory to Group Two level when contesting the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood in August.

Vandeek won that event and went on to impress when winning the Prix Morny, but Ballymount Boy was just a length behind in second spot.

York was next on the agenda for the Acomb Stakes, a Group Three where he started as the 11-4 joint-favourite and was again the runner-up, beaten a length and a half on his seven-furlong debut.

The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere is now the next step, over seven furlongs on Arc day.

Ballymount Boy after his run at York
Ballymount Boy after his run at York (PA)

“He’s doing very well after York, we’re very pleased with him and our plan is to go over to France for Lagardere,” Keatley said.

“I think that will suit him, seven furlongs on the track there, and when you look at the form, he has some of the best form there so we’d like to think he’d go very close.”

Keatley feels the Acomb did not suit tactically and with that knowledge Ballymount Boy will be positioned more handily in Paris.

“The way the race was run, he was just behind the pace,” he said.

“He was only really getting going and he ran the fastest final furlong, which shows you that was when he was doing his best work.

“He still ran a good race and now we can position him in the first few as he does take a while to hit top gear. We’re really looking forward to running him.”



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Keatley backing Ballymount Boy to make Acomb leap

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Adrian Keatley’s Ballymount Boy will aim to show his class again in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting.

The son of Camacho was beaten a neck on debut and then won a Hamilton novice in July, after which he took a big step into Group Two company to contest the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Starting at 25-1 under Jason Hart, the colt was the outsider of the field but defied his odds when finishing a length behind the winner, Simon and Ed Crisford’s Vandeek.

That form was given a notable boost when Vandeek won the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday, getting the better of Christopher Head’s previously undefeated filly Ramatuelle.

Keatley is therefore looking forward to getting Ballymount Boy out again, with the juvenile stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time on the Knavesmire.

He said: “He’s trained well since his run at Goodwood, we’re very happy with him and we’re looking forward to running him in the Acomb on Wednesday.

“It looked the obvious thing to do coming away from Goodwood (stepping up in trip), it looked to us like he’d appreciate another furlong, so that’s what we’re doing.

“We thought a lot of our horse going to Goodwood, so we weren’t by any means surprised by his run and we appreciate that the winner now looks very good as well – it’s all stacking up.”

Ballymount Boy made a slow start to the Richmond Stakes and left himself with ground to make up, but Keatley is happy to chalk that up to experience and has high hopes for the horse for this season and beyond.

“You have to forgive him that, he’s a big boy, he’s a big two-year-old and he’s still a baby,” he said.

“He went from a four-runner novice race at Hamilton into a Group Two and it was a massive step, a massive ask, and he answered all the questions bar one.

“You can forgive him for not winning considering the way everything went for him on the day.

“We think he could be a top-class seven furlong/miler for the future – we’re hopeful.”

Also set to run is Charlie Hills’ Cogitate, a Churchill colt out of the Listed-winning mare Damaniyat Girl.

The youngster was a winner on his only start to date, claiming a Newbury novice by two lengths in a taking performance under Hollie Doyle.

William Buick takes the ride at York, and Hills is hopeful the horse can build on his first outing.

“I’m very pleased with him, it’s always been the plan to run him in this race,” he said.

“His work has been good and we think he could be a nice horse for the future.

Cogitate winning on debut
Cogitate winning on debut (Adam Davy/PA)

“He travelled very well (at Newbury), he’s got a good attitude and a good temperament – I was really taken by his first run.

“He’s a big, scopey horse and he should be a nice horse for next year as well.”

Aidan O’Brien runs Edwardian, winner of a Naas maiden in July, while William Haggas fields Loose Cannon, who will return to the scene of his triumphant debut last month.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s Indian Run, successful in an Ascot maiden on his second run, and Tom Dascombe’s Hot Fuss, fifth in the Chesham, complete the field.



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Keatley sets out Acomb aim for Ballymount Boy

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Adrian Keatley already has Classic aspirations for Richmond Stakes runner-up Ballymount Boy, who is likely to step up to seven furlongs for the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes later this month.

The Irishman, who now trains in North Yorkshire, saddled Jet Setting to beat Minding in the 2016 Irish 1,000 Guineas and believes he has found another candidate to tackle the biggest races over a mile next term.

Although sent off 25-1 at Goodwood for his first taste of Group action, the son of Camacho confirmed Keatley’s high opinion of the colt to get within a length of toppling 11-8 favourite Vandeek.

And now he is keen to step up in trip with his talented two-year-old at York’s Ebor Festival, for a race won 12 months ago by subsequent 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean.

“It was what we were expecting, we wouldn’t have taken him down to Goodwood if we weren’t expecting a big run and that’s the level we hold him at,” said Keatley.

“I think he will improve again and he can step up another grade again.

“He will probably go for the Acomb next and then we will go from there. It’s seven furlongs and we’ll try to get him to win at Group Three level before stepping up again.

“He’s a very good horse who we hold in high regard and hopefully he will be my next Guineas horse. It’s been a while since I’ve had my last one, so I could do with another one.”

Kihavah and Jody Townend in winning action at York
Kihavah and Jody Townend in winning action at York (Tim Goode/PA)

However, one of Keatley’s string who will not be seen on the Knavesmire is the prolific Kihavah, who will miss the rest of the season through injury.

The six-year-old has won four times on the level during the current campaign and was being pointed towards the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor, but will now be on the sidelines until the new year when he could be sent on some international assignments.

“Kihavah has picked up an injury and won’t be running for the rest of the Flat season,” continued Keatley.

“We might look at campaigning him abroad in the new year with a view to going back for the Ebor or some of the big mile-and-a-half handicaps next season.”



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