Tag Archive for: Galway Festival

‘It was meant to be’ – Filey Bay and Alan O’Sullivan star at Galway

/in /by

Filey Bay justified market support in recording an emotional victory in the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap at Galway.

The feature event on the first evening of the week-long festival at Ballybrit is restricted to amateur riders and it was Alan O’Sullivan – brother of the late Michael O’Sullivan, who tragically died in February following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles – who shone in the saddle.

O’Sullivan had to weave a path to get a run on the JP McManus-owned gelding and when he did he fairly shot clear aboard Emmet Mullins’ 7-1 chance, with the winning jockey looking to the skies as he passed the line four and three-quarter lengths ahead of Mon Coeur.

“It’s unbelievable, my goal at the start of the year was to be good enough that someone might want me for this. He was looking down on me, I think,” said O’Sullivan.

“When I wanted the gaps, they came for me, I got a dream run. I probably went the brave man’s route, but I thought it’s what Mikey would have done. I had loads of horse, if I got any gap at all I had the horse to take it.

“I got a dream run and he galloped all the way to the line.”

Alan O’Sullivan celebrates with JP McManus (left) and trainer Emmet Mullins
Alan O’Sullivan celebrates with JP McManus (left) and trainer Emmet Mullins (Niall Carson/PA)

Mullins said: “It was meant to be and I’m a bit lost for words. It’s just magic.

“It was Michael’s saddle that Alan was using today. Michael rode a few times for me here and I think we hit the crossbar twice, so Alan steadied the ship.

“It’s been a long enough road with the horse. We had him last season and I sent him home twice as I just wasn’t happy. Thankfully with JP the patience has paid off.

“Alan was keen to ride him, and I was keen to claim off him as well. For 7lb claimers you don’t need to look any further than Alan.”

Ross O’Sullivan eyeing more Galway Festival gains

/in /by

Ross O’Sullivan is readying a strong squad for this season’s Galway Summer Festival after enjoying a fruitful meeting last year.

The stable sent out three winners for the showpiece fixture 12 months ago, all of whom return to the track this time around alongside further hopes both on the Flat and under the National Hunt code.

Donnie Devito, who took the Guinness Novice Hurdle last year, turns his hand to chasing and will take on stablemate and fellow Galway winner Talk In the Park over fences.

“The three winners from last year will go there, unfortunately two of them are taking each other on,” said O’Sullivan.

“Donnie Devito and Talk In The Park will both go for the beginners’ chase on Friday.”

Volantis bids to retain his title in the Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle, whereas smart bumper horse turned hurdler Strong Link makes his Galway debut and the Listed winner Chally Chute aims to go one better than last year’s effort in the Guinness Handicap.

O’Sullivan said: “Volantis, last year’s winner of the good handicap which now runs on the Saturday will go back for that. He’s had a prep run on the Flat like last year and much the same preparation as last year.

“Strong Link has won a bumper and maiden hurdle, he goes for the novice hurdle that Donnie Devito won last year.

“The young pretender is Strong Link, he hasn’t put a foot wrong and has good winter form in bumpers.

“He’s transferred that to winning in the summer and because he’s up and coming he’d be the one that we’re really looking forward to.

“Last year Chally Chute was second in the good Flat handicap over a mile and a half, the Guinness Handicap. He goes back for the same race again having won a Listed race.”