Tag Archive for: Galway

Princess Child wears the crown at Galway

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Princess Child, who has been campaigned exclusively in Listed and Group races for over a year, dropped down in grade to land the valuable Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap at Galway.

The consistent four-year-old filly had finished second in a Listed event at the track on Thursday but was able to land her first win since racing in France as a juvenile.

Since joining Joseph O’Brien she was more than paid her way, finishing second in four Listed races.

However, this was the first time her handler had run her in a handicap since her first start for new connections in June 2024 and she was sent off 5-1 to gain a first win in Ireland.

Gleneagle Bay made a bold bid for home but Dylan Browne McMonagle brought Princess Child with a powerful run and she went on to win by a length and a quarter with Colm Quinn Mile winner Dunum back in third.

“She had a good run here the last day. She was very unlucky and just didn’t get the rub of the green until the straight,” said the winning rider.

“She’s had a couple of days to freshen up again and was bouncing around the parade ring and felt great going to post.

“The pace was good and even for me to aim at, and she quickened up good to win well. She seemed to get through the ground well.

“You need plenty of luck when you are drawn in there (stall six) but I definitely had a willing partner.

“She’s a very consistent filly and seems to grow a leg on this ground. She likes it around here and always runs a good race here. Hopefully she can progress into stakes company again and get her head in front.”

Zanahiyr gets back to winning ways at Galway

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Zanahiyr made a welcome return to the winning ways in the Kinlay Hostel Chase on the final day of the Galway Festival.

Third in the 2023 Champion Hurdle, Gordon Elliott’s one-time Triumph Hurdle favourite was third in the Galway Plate last year and was making his second appearance of the week at the Ballybrit track after finishing seventh and well held in this year’s feature chase.

Sent off 9-4 in the hands of Jack Kennedy, this was far from an easy assignment with Willie Mullins’ Blood Diamond the odds-on favourite, but the eight-year-old rolled back the years to strike for the first time since shedding his maiden status over fences in February 2024.

Kennedy said: “Delighted for the horse. He’s been a great horse, placed in Champion Hurdles and it’s nice for him to get his head in front today.

“I was happy enough to tip away in front, I didn’t go mad, and it worked out well.

“He was brilliant at the last two in the dip and is better when you are going on with him and not getting in too tight.

“It’s been a great week.”

Elsewhere John McConnell’s Ballystone kept on well to win in the Kenny Galway Peugeot Handicap Hurdle.

It was a dream success for his jockey Alex Harvey who was full of praise for the 14-1 scorer.

Harvey said: “He’s a lovely horse, very genuine. I got a lovely run around on the inside and it was just a matter of holding onto him and pressing the button.

“He put his head down on the run-in and galloped away to the line.

“The ground was a question as he wants a bit of nicer ground. To be honest it’s just the slow side of good bar the straight which is borderline heavy.

“He’s progressive and I can’t wait to see him over a fence.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and you dream about having a winner so to have two in the week is unbelievable.”

Action another ace in O’Brien’s juvenile pack

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Action put himself in line for some big targets later in the campaign as he shed his maiden tag on the penultimate day of the Galway Festival.

A Frankel half-brother to this year’s dual Derby hero Lambourn, Action finished behind his Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemates New Zealand and Isaac Newton on his initial run, with the latter boosting the form when prevailing at Goodwood just moments before the Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Maiden.

Sent off the 4-9 favourite in the hands of Wayne Lordan, Action was a length and a quarter too good for Perisher and Group race targets could now be on the horizon, with Paddy Power making him a 33-1 shot for next year’s Derby.

Action and jockey Wayne Lordan after winning the Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Maiden
Action and jockey Wayne Lordan after winning the Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Maiden (PA)

O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “Wayne knows the family inside out and they have been very good to him.

“He is a smashing colt, he had a lovely run at the Curragh first time out and just five minutes before this race jumped off, the horse that beat him, Isaac Newton, won at Goodwood, so I’d say it was a very strong maiden.

“It was his first time out in front and he was very green and raw but once Wayne asked him, he found the line well. You probably won’t see the best of him until he goes up in trip and he is now in the mix for something like the Golden Fleece on Irish Champions Weekend and then maybe a Futurity Trophy (at Doncaster) or another Group One in France.”

Winning Smut and jockey Jack Kennedy on their way to Galway glory
Winning Smut and jockey Jack Kennedy on their way to Galway glory (PA)

Gordon Elliott added the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle to his big-race tally this week as Winning Smut repelled all challengers in the Listed highlight.

The Cullentra handler had already bagged the Galway Plate and Hurdle, courtesy of Western Fold on Wednesday and Ndaawi on Thursday, and Winning Smut was sent off the 13-2 joint-favourite to keep the bandwagon rolling.

Partnered by Jack Kennedy, Winning Smut was in front turning for home and while Fascile Mode, Chart Topper and Teed Up made late bids for glory, Elliott’s charge had two and a quarter lengths in hand at the line.

Elliott’s representative Lisa O’Neill said: “We didn’t know how good he was coming into this but he scraped in down the bottom of the weights and having a feather weight in those competitive handicaps helps. Jack gave him a beautiful ride up the inside and said he got there too soon but he toughed it out well.

Winning Smut and connections in the winner's enclosure
Winning Smut and connections in the winner’s enclosure (PA)

“It is great for his owners (Dennis Reddan) as they have been in racing for a long, long time and they are delighted to have a winner here at Galway. He is a homebred so it means so much to them and hopefully there is plenty more for him over the coming months.”

Some Pretender (evens favourite) made a winning racecourse debut in the Salthill Hotel Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race, while Andrew Slattery chalked up his third win of the week as Ebony King (9-1) landed the BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle.

Nans View shades victory in Galway thriller

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Nans View clung on for a narrow success in the Guinness Handicap at Galway.

The feature event on day four of the Festival developed into a real battle up the straight, with Cloud Seeker and Nans View having raced prominently throughout and plenty of challengers seemingly lining up in behind.

However, 12-1 shot Nans View was incredibly game in the hands of Leigh Roche, entering the final furlong with a slight advantage before Cheeky Wink and Acapulco Bay both charged through in the dying strides.

Nans View was a head in front on the line though, with Cheeky Wink taking second, half a length ahead of Acapulco Bay.

Connections of Nans View following her win on Friday evening
Connections of Nans View following her win on Friday evening (PA)

Winning trainer Jarlath Fahey said: “I thought halfway up the straight we were there, the last 50 to 100 yards was very terrifying!

“She is game and she did hang on well in fairness. It was a brilliant ride by Leigh.

“She was second here last year and she had won over a mile and a half in the last race of the year (in October).

“That day Ronan (Whelan, jockey) said she could be a premier handicap filly next year, so it was half in our mind from then and we were minding her.

“A few things went wrong and the yard hasn’t been in form all year. They are running well but they aren’t winning. We minded her for here and thankfully it worked out.”

Turnpike Trip on his way to Galway glory
Turnpike Trip on his way to Galway glory (PA)

Turnpike Trip defied his veteran status with a game victory in the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.

Out of action for three years before returning in May, Charles Byrnes’ 11-year-old had failed to make an impact in two starts but roared back to winning form as a 20-1 chance in the hands of the trainer’s son, Philip.

Turnpike Trip was in the front rank for much of the race and looked to be beaten when headed at the last, only to rally for a length-and-a-half victory over Antrim Coast.

Turnpike Trip and winning connections
Turnpike Trip and winning connections (PA)

The winning trainer said: “It’s great to get the win here. I’ve been coming here for years and I’ve had a few winners but it’s a very hard place to win.

“Philip said he got in under the second last and the last and lost momentum a small bit but he really powered up the hill then.

“It’s a brilliant feeling, especially that Philip rode it. Unfortunately the owner (Peter Acheson) couldn’t make it here today but it’s a great feeling.”

Intense Approach (13-2) made a victorious start over fences in the Guinness Beginners Chase while Mighty Danu was an 11-1 debut winner in the James’s Gate Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden.

Ndaawi awarded Galway Hurdle in dramatic circumstances

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Last year’s runner-up Ndaawi was called the winner of the Guinness Galway Hurdle after first past the post Helvic Dream was demoted by the stewards.

It is 20 years since trainer Noel Meade saddled his most recent winner of the Ballybrit highlight in More Rainbows but he had come close on several occasions since, while Ndaawi’s trainer Gordon Elliott had never won it previously.

Helvic Dream, a Group One winner on the Flat for Meade in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Jack Kennedy in the home straight.

However, the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail, and while Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front the stewards felt the interference was significant enough to reverse the placings.

Elliott, completing a big-race double after landing Wednesday’s Galway Plate with Western Fold, said: “We have won most of the big handicaps so this is the race I wanted to win, although it is not a nice way to win.

“Noel is one of my greatest friends and there isn’t a day goes by that we don’t talk and we have great banter, but that’s the way it goes unfortunately.

“The stewards have their jobs to do, Jack said it straightaway after the race and I was talking to Ruby (Walsh) as well and he felt we would definitely get it.

“It is unbelievable to win the two big races here this week and the horses have all run well, I can’t believe it.”

Noel Meade intends to appeal the decision
Noel Meade intends to appeal the decision (Damien Eagers/PA)

On future plans for Ndaawi, the trainer added: “There is a $150,000 Flat race in America for him in October now.”

Meade later indicated he will appeal the decision.

He told Racing TV: “I didn’t think we’d lose it, considering the race and considering Jack didn’t have to stop riding.

“I do believe in my heart and soul it’s the wrong decision and I will appeal it.”

Gold Dancer reels in stablemate Westport Cove for Galway glory

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Gold Dancer wore down his front-running stablemate Westport Cove to claim an unlikely victory in the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase at Galway.

Westport Cove was the 85-40 favourite for the Grade Three contest having opened his account over fences at Ballinrobe in late May and looked in control for much of the way under Paul Townend.

He still appeared the most likely winner after kicking clear of the faltering Pied Piper from the home turn, but the seven-year-old began to tire in the straight and Sean O’Keeffe produced 7-1 shot Gold Dancer with a well-timed challenge up the hill to emerge victorious by two and a half lengths.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: “Of my runners I thought Westport Cove would win, but Gold Dancer is by Doctor Dino, who is a horse we like, and Sean gave him a lovely cute ride. He let Paul do all the donkey work, had one crack at him and it all worked out

“Westport Cove basically races flat out so you just try to get a breather into him and while Paul thought he had enough breathers got, Gold Dancer is just improving. There is probably more improvement in him that the other horses we ran in the race.

“Today was the first time he showed me on the racecourse what we thought and think of him at home. We’ll go down the novice chase route with him now at the big festivals and hopefully he is good enough to go on to the Drinmore (at Fairyhouse) in December.”

British raider Tropical Island caused a 40-1 upset in the big Flat race of the afternoon – the Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes under Luke McAteer.

Richard Fahey’s charge was well beaten on her most recent appearance at Pontefract, but was soon in front in this Listed event and had just enough in reserve to repel the fast-finishing Princess Child and Easy Mover in a thrilling three-way finish.

“They told me she’d stay and she stays bang on seven furlongs. The owners were adamant to keep her going, don’t let up (in front) and turning in she was pricking her ears and looking up at the stands, but she stuck at it well,” said McAteer.

“I knew I had Gavin (Ryan, on Easy Mover) beaten but thought Declan (McDonogh, on Princess Child) had done me at the line, but it was great to hold on.

“I spoke to Richard (Fahey) on the phone and he said to do as the owners wanted so I didn’t look back and she duly obliged. They wanted black type so it is great.

“That’s my first ride for Richard, I know the owners and they put me forward for the ride. The owners are from around Kilkenny and this is brilliant.”

Determined Dunum delivers again at Galway

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Dunum showed his liking for Galway once more with a tremendous front-running effort in the COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap.

Not that sharpest away but quickly to the front nonetheless in the hands of Seamie Heffernan, the Natalia Lupini-trained was pressed all the way through the final furlong by Bear Profit.

The 12-1 winner would not give way, however, as he made it three career wins at the Ballybrit festival.

Lupini said: “We couldn’t dismiss Galway and have been working towards both this race and the Ahonoora on Sunday. He did well today and Seamie is a great asset for a small yard like ours. Having a jockey of his calibre is a massive help.

“The horse usually jumps out smart, Seamie wasn’t going to give away his position and the horse enjoyed himself. He loves the downhill run into the dip and he battled well towards the line.

“We’ll see how he is at home, but hopefully he’ll also run in the Ahonoora.”

Joe Murphy and Gary Carroll have a big day booked at Goodwood on Thursday and warmed up in style with a runaway success for Pivotal Attack in the COLM QUINN BMW Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

The trainer-jockey combination will team up with Royal Ascot heroine Cercene in the Nassau Stakes and were in the winner’s enclosure courtesy of this 9-2 chance, who fairly sprinted by hot favourite Amelia Earhart when asked.

Murphy said: “Our filly was very professional, she relaxed and when he asked her, she quickened. I think we have a nice filly going forward.

“I don’t know where we’ll go next, but the curve will be upwards anyway. I don’t know the calibre of race it was and the O’Brien-horse (Amelia Earhart) was a bit unlucky, but it was the way our filly did it – she did it very well.

“She is out of a Pivotal mare and we think she is stakes class.”

Cormac Farrell’s Sticktotheplan was sent off the 22-1 outsider of the seven-runner COLM QUINN BMW Novice Hurdle but shot through against the rail to win in good style.

The Willie Mullins pair of Vicar Street and La Note Verte seemed sure to fight out the finish approaching the last but the race changed drastically in complexion.

Emily Love was challenging, as was Timeless Treaty, but it was Sticktotheplan and Ricky Doyle who quickened up best of all to win by two and a quarter lengths.

“We fancied him and had a few quid on as we’ve always thought he was a very smart horse. It has taken time for the penny to drop and to race correctly. His jumping has come together and he has a huge future,” said Farrell.

“I tried to sell him on several occasions but nobody would buy him so I’m delighted, as I’ll be properly paid for him at some stage! I’m a big fan and he is a very exciting horse. He is a fine horse and that ground is as good as he’d want.

“It is so exciting to be in Galway as we don’t get many winners so to have a nice horse to run in a Listed race is great.”

Davy Crockett collects on hurdling bow at Galway

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Davy Crockett lived up to his regal breeding with a comprehensive victory in the Galway Bay Hotel & The Galmont Hotel Novice Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old is a son of dual Derby hero Camelot out of Champion Hurdle-winning mare Annie Power, making him a half-brother to dual Grade One victor Mystical Power, who landed this Galway Festival curtain-raiser two years ago.

Easy winner of a Punchestown bumper on his debut in early June, the 1-2 favourite to make a successful transition to the jumping game raised brief concerns for his supporters two out, but knuckled down well for Mark Walsh in the straight to beat Mick Collins by two and a half lengths.

Mullins said: “I was very happy with how efficient his jumping was except, for the mistake at the second-last. For a horse having his first run over hurdles and just the second run of his career, I was very pleased with him.

“We’ll just keep going down the novice hurdle route and hopefully he might make into a Royal Bond horse. He could go to Listowel before then.”

Mullins also paid tribute to training great Edward O’Grady, who died on Sunday at the age of 75.

He added: “Edward was someone that back in the day we looked up to. He was the foremost trainer going to Cheltenham – when no one (from Ireland) was having runners or winners in Cheltenham, he was having one or two of them every year.

“People forget how difficult it was for Irish trainers to bring horses across and win and Edward had fantastic horses. He had a great Galway connection of course with Golden Cygnet, owned by Ray Rooney who was chairman here in Galway.

“He’ll be sorely missed in Irish racing.”

Davy Crockett is owned by JP McManus, who also paid tribute to O’Grady, with whom he had a long association.

McManus said: “No doubt he was an amazing trainer. I went to him in ’78.

“I remember Jack Of Trumps won in Punchestown as a five-year-old carrying 12st in the Jameson Gold Cup which was a handicap then.

“We went on to win the Galway Plate that year in ’78 (with Shining Flame).

“We had many great days with the likes of Bit Of A Skite, Mucklemeg and Time For A Run.

“Edward was always very good to his staff and very kind to everybody.

“When Edward fancied a horse you didn’t need to have money, all you needed to have was credit because they nearly always delivered. His record was second to none at that time.

“He was a great judge of a horse and he will be missed.”

Elsewhere, Constitution River confirmed the promise of his debut run to land the Eventus Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden with real authority.

Contrary To Law attempted to keep tabs on Aidan O’Brien’s runner up front, but he was shrugged off with some ease, as were the rest, as the imposing Wootton Bassett colt powered to a three-and-three-quarter-length triumph under Wayne Lordan, as odds of 1-5 suggested he would.

A €400,000 purchase as a yearling, the winner – who is out of a sister to the top-class racemare Wonderful Tonight – just missed out to the Charlie Appleby-trained Distant Storm at the Newmarket July meeting, when the pair were nicely clear of the third.

O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “He had a very good run in a nice maiden in Newmarket and with normal improvement coming here you’d think he’d put up a good display.

“He was very green and Wayne said he was looking at the camera on his inside, but he went to the line with plenty still left in him. The experience around here will do him the world of good.

“He’s a colt with a touch of class and is one to look forward to going into the second half of the season. I suppose he puts himself into the Futurity mix with the rest of them and the lads will divide them up and see where they go.”