Tag Archive for: Limerick

Daryl Jacob announces final ride following Impaire Et Passe success

Daryl Jacob guided Impaire Et Passe to a fine win in the Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick – and quickly announced he would retire from the saddle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The 41-year-old jockey was riding for his long-standing retained owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede in the Grade One feature, and enjoyed a four-length victory aboard the Willie Mullins-trained 8-13 favourite.

The success followed a testing time for Jacob, who has had a lengthy injury-enforced absence to overcome, and after adding the title to a CV that includes the Grand National with Neptune Collonges, he said his sole ride on the final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting would be his last.

He told Sportinglife.com: “It’s the right decision at the right time. I’ve worked very hard to get back from injury this season and I knew I had some good opportunities this Christmas, including in the Grade One.

“To ride Impaire Et Passe there to win the Grade One, it will be very difficult to beat that now and finishing at Leopardstown, where I won my first Grade One, feels right.

“I’ve always wanted to retire on my terms, riding good horses, and Impaire Et Passe has been one of our best horses. He’s very special to me.”

Impaire Et Passe, three times a top-level winner over hurdles, had already won his chasing debut by 12 lengths at Fairyhouse in November.

Among a field of seven he was ridden patiently and always looked settled, making good progress throughout before laying down a challenge in the closing stages and sealing the victory with a good jump at the last.

The winning margin – the first at Grade One level for Mullins this Christmas – was four lengths on the line, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Jordans the runner-up.

Jacob said of his winner: “He was very good, he really picked up from the back of the second-last and was good, brave and long at the last.

“I’ve always said it that two miles racing against State Man and the likes was always going to be too sharp and it was proven in the Aintree Hurdle. Please God he comes out of this well and is an exciting horse for the ‘double green’ for the rest of the season.”

He added of his recent injury troubles: “I’m not going to lie, it has been a very frustrating spell for me and has been hard work. I knew I had one or two good rides coming into the Christmas period so wanted to get back for it.

“Obviously Simon and Isaac have been an integral part of my career for the last 11 years, that is a long time and we have a massive association.

“The are like brothers to me so I owe my whole life to them and also to Robert and Sally Alner as well. This is very, very special.”



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Impaire Et Passe impresses in ‘special’ Limerick victory for Jacob

Impaire Et Passe took a significant step in his early career over fences with a fine win in the Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick.

Ridden by Daryl Jacob for trainer Willie Mullins and owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the six-year-old – three times a top-level winner over hurdles – was the 8-13 favourite for the Grade One contest, having won his chasing debut by 12 lengths at Fairyhouse in November.

Among a field of seven he was ridden patiently and always looked settled, making good progress throughout before laying down a challenge in the closing stages and sealing the victory with a good jump at the last.

The winning margin – the first at Grade One level for Mullins this Christmas – was four lengths on the line, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Jordans the runner-up.

Jacob said: “He was very good, he really picked up from the back of the second-last and was good, brave and long at the last.

“I’ve always said it that two miles racing against State Man and the likes was always going to be too sharp and it was proven in the Aintree Hurdle. Please God he comes out of this well and is an exciting horse for the ‘double green’ for the rest of the season.”

He added of his recent injury troubles: “I’m not going to lie, it has been a very frustrating spell for me and has been hard work. I knew I had one or two good rides coming into the Christmas period so wanted to get back for it and whatever happens now, I’ve got a Grade One.

“Obviously Simon and Isaac have been an integral part of my career for the last 11 years, that is a long time and we have a massive association.

“The are like brothers to me so I owe my whole life to them and also to Robert and Sally Alner as well. This is very very special.”



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Real Steel gallops on gamely for Munster National triumph

Real Steel rolled back the years with a front-running victory in the BoyleSports JT McNamara Munster National for local trainer Eric McNamara.

A dual Grade Two winner and sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2020 for Willie Mullins, the 11-year-old subsequently enjoyed a spell with Paul Nicholls before being snapped up by McNamara for £27,000 two and a half years ago.

He gave his new connections a memorable day when claiming a shock 33-1 victory in the lucrative Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting two seasons ago, but had failed to add to his tally in eight subsequent starts, most recently finishing down the field in the Kerry National at Listowel.

However, with blinkers reapplied and more positive tactics deployed, the 8-1 shot showed his true colours at Limerick under a typically well-judged ride from Danny Mullins, jumping fluently to keep the pressure on the chasing pack and finding plenty when challenged by 13-8 favourite Horantzau d’Airy to see him off by three and a half lengths.

“We are just having a fantastic time of it and to win that race is very special,” said McNamara.

“I won it previously in 1999 when today’s clerk of the course Paul Moloney rode Kaselectric to win at Cork (with Limerick being developed), but that was a good while ago, so we were due another!”

He added: “Danny Mullins was exceptional, he really was. We said we’d lead if it worked out that way, and he popped him out and it worked out great. To get this horse back to a semblance of his old form was magical.

“That is a fantastic race to win and means a lot to us.”

In winning, Real Steel landed Down Syndrome Limerick the €20,000 sweepstake prize, which was sponsored by leading owner JP McManus.



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Mistergif looks potentially smart in Limerick victory

Mistergif continued Willie Mullins’ successful January as well as the hot run of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede with an impressive success on his Irish debut at Limerick.

Although banking plenty of experience in France, he arrived at Closutton a maiden, but nevertheless was sent off the 8-13 favourite for the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter (C & G) Maiden Hurdle over two miles on testing ground.

The result was a formality as the five-year-old made all and cruised to an impressive 18-length success in the hands of Kieran Callaghan to give Mullins his fourth straight success in the race and also follow in the footsteps of State Man who was victorious in the 2022 renewal before marching to County Hurdle glory at the Cheltenham Festival.

Mistergif holds entries for both the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park and although connections may want to see more before he gets his ticket stamped for March, he brought up Mullins’ 40th winner for the month while adding to the recent victories of Zarak The Brave, Jasmin De Vaux and Anotherway in the ‘double green’ colours.

“He’s a horse by a stallion we like in Zarak,” said Anthony Bromley, racing manager to the owners, who will have the likes of El Fabiolo in action at the Dublin Racing Festival this weekend.

“He jumped very smoothly today, that was impressive the way he jumped. The horse in second was only rated 106, so we must not get too carried away.

“I think he will have to have another run to see where we are and in terms of if he’s a Festival horse or not. But he’s a really exciting prospect and it comes hot on the heels of Anotherway yesterday and the bumper horse on Sunday, so they are just hitting their stride at the right time.

“I don’t think there is any necessarily big targets for him, but we will have to run again and see where we are.”

Winning rider Callaghan added: “It was very straightforward. He had experience around Auteuil and loads of runs on the Flat as well as a younger horse.

“I was just worried that he was doing a bit too much early, but he was very good the way he picked up from the back of the second-last.

“He hit the line hard and I was at the first hurdle down the back pulling him up so it’s definitely a good sign on that ground.

“He couldn’t have done it much easier, and he has a chance of being a nice horse.”



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Danny Mullins makes light of Limerick exchange

Danny Mullins has played down his altercation with cousin Patrick Mullins following the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick on Thursday.

Patrick ultimately claimed a comfortable victory in the race on board his father Willie’s Gaelic Warrior, with Danny five and a half lengths back in second on stablemate Il Etait Temps.

However, the pair did come close when Danny attempted to sneak up the inner on the run to the second-last and Patrick appeared to react angrily to that incident as they pulled up after the finishing line.

The stewards looked into the episode but Danny later made light of the whole affair via his regular diary on the Tote Twitter site.

He joked: “The main question on everybody’s lips is what did Patrick say? I don’t fully recall what he did say, I think it was something along the lines of ‘Danny, get a haircut’, but I’m happy with my hair as it is at the moment.”

On a more serious note, Danny added: “It’s one of those things, I’m always going to ride to win the race and that’s what I have to do for my owners and we had a go and unfortunately I finished second – but we had a go and that was the main thing.”

Regarding the incident approaching the penultimate fence, Patrick Mullins earlier said: “I told Danny going out that there will be a gap on my inside going down to the second-last and ‘do not come for it’ but he hasn’t listened to me. Luckily it didn’t get the two of us beaten.”

Willie Mullins was at Leopardstown, where he told Racing TV with a wry smile: “I had my son and my nephew trying to kill each other going to the second-last. I don’t know what Patrick said to Danny, but I don’t imagine they’ll be going home in the same car anyhow!

“Danny was riding his horse and he had to try to go for Grade One glory on his horse. Anyhow, it will make fun for this evening when we are disseminating the whole thing.”

The stewards investigated the incident two out and took no action, but also inquired about Patrick Mullins’ post-race comments.

The report read: “The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr. P.W. Mullins, rider of Gaelic Warrior, and D.E. Mullins, rider of Il Etait Temps, regarding comments made to the media about an incident on the run to the second-last.

“Mr. P.W. Mullins stated that he had advised D.E. Mullins during a conversation prior to the race that he would be leaving a gap down the inner to get a breather into his horse and he advised him not to go for it.

“D.E. Mullins confirmed the conversation happened as such. Having considered all the evidence, the Raceday Stewards referred the matter on to a Senior Racing Official.”



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Gaelic Warrior all class in Limerick romp

Gaelic Warrior ran out a tremendous winner of the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick.

Racing in the famous pink and green Susannah and Rich Ricci colours that Faugheen sported throughout his illustrious career, he looks booked for the very top.

While in the past connections have hinted at a preference for going right-handed, the 4-7 favourite jumped as straight as an arrow on this occasion in the hands of Patrick Mullins.

The leading amateur also rode Faugheen to glory in the corresponding race in 2019, a highlight he still refers to as one of the best days of his career.

He will surely have never ridden an easier Grade One winner as, despite coming up against the smart American Mike, who had lowered the colours of subsequent impressive winner Fact To File last time out, and stablemate Il Etait Temps, a Grade One winner over hurdles, the five-year-old proved in a different league.

Gaelic Warrior with Patrick Mullins, Rachel Robbins and Joe Chambers (racing manager)
Gaelic Warrior with Patrick Mullins, Rachel Robbins and Joe Chambers (racing manager) (PA)

Gaelic Warrior’s only worry was when Danny Mullins attempted to sneak up the inner of his stablemate and cousin on the run to the second-last, but once he came out on top in the brief skirmish the race was over.

He crossed the line five and a half lengths clear without coming off the bridle and Willie Mullins will now have to decide which race he runs in at Cheltenham in March, with all options seemingly open trip-wise.

Perhaps tellingly, Betfair go only 7-1 for next year’s King George.

Mullins said: “That was super and he settled away going his own gallop. I was trying to get him to pop early on, but he wasn’t too sure of that so I let him jump. He loves the ground, won as he liked and jumped well once he got into a rhythm.

“He has been beaten twice at Cheltenham and it doesn’t really suit him as he jumps good and right. That said the Turners Chase is on the New course (at Cheltenham) which is slightly less tight than the Old course.

“He is most definitely a different horse going right-handed, but Cheltenham is Cheltenham. I’m not sure what Willie has in mind for him and I think the way he jumps, maybe two and a half miles on soft ground is his best trip.”

Regarding the incident approaching the second-last fence, he added: “I told Danny going out that there will be a gap on my inside going down to the second-last and ‘do not come for it’ but he hasn’t listened to me. Luckily it didn’t get the two of us beaten.

“You see that in beginners chases and in maiden hurdles where the horses in second and third don’t go after the leader going a half-stride faster, so I think the (winning distance) in his beginners was exaggerated.

“Rachel Robbins looks after him and does a great job with him.”

Willie Mullins was at Leopardstown where he told Racing TV: “I thought he put up an exhibition of jumping. If anyone wants to watch what a novice chaser looks like, go and replay that race. I thought he was fantastic.

“I had my son and my nephew trying to kill each other going to the second-last. I don’t know what Patrick said to Danny, but I don’t imagine they’ll be going home in the same car anyhow!

“Danny was riding his horse and he had to try to go for Grade One glory on his horse. Anyhow, it will make fun for this evening when we are disseminating the whole thing.

“Who knows what the winner can achieve and Fact To File was very impressive (at Leopardstown), they are all horses you’d love to have and we are very lucky to have them.”

The stewards looked into the incident two out and took no action, but also inquired about Patrick Mullins’ post-race comments.

The report read: “The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr. P.W. Mullins, rider of Gaelic Warrior, and D.E. Mullins, rider of Il Etait Temps, regarding comments made to the media about an incident on the run to the second-last.

“Mr. P.W. Mullins stated that he had advised D.E. Mullins during a conversation prior to the race that he would be leaving a gap down the inner to get a breather into his horse and he advised him not to go for it.

“D.E. Mullins confirmed the conversation happened as such. Having considered all the evidence, the Raceday Stewards referred the matter on to a Senior Racing Official.”



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Noble Yeats shows promise in defeat with future in mind

Emmet Mullins will work back from another tilt at the Randox Grand National with Noble Yeats following his pleasing return to action at Limerick.

The eight-year-old won the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree in 2022 and finished fourth in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and when defending his Grand National crown last season.

Making his first appearance since the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in May, Noble Yeats reverted to the smaller obstacles for the Party Time Hurdle – and while his stable star was beaten by Sa Majeste as a 10-11 favourite, Mullins was satisfied with his performance.

He said: “He took a blow, needed it and hopefully that gets the season going and we can target the spring festivals on better ground.

“He ran his race, was bang there to the second-last hurdle, which he missed, but took a blow after that and needed the run.

“Hopefully there is more to come with him.”

Mullins appears less keen on preparing his charge for the Gold Cup as he looks to get him back to Aintree in April at the top of his game.

He added: “It didn’t work taking in both last season, so I’m thinking about the Grand National more so this year.

“Today’s race was over two and a half miles and on that ground it will leave its mark on him, so we won’t be rushing him back.”

The Simon Torrens-ridden Sa Majeste (11-2) was one of four winners on the card for Mullins’ uncle Willie, with Adrian Heskin aboard Judicieuse Allen and Hauturiere and Jody Townend in the saddle for bumper winner Hens Tooth (4-9).

Judicieuse Allen finished with a wet sail to justify 6-5 favouritism in the Goggin Buckley Mares Maiden Hurdle, while Hauturiere (11-2) took Grade Two honours with a dominant display in the McMahons Builders Providers Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase.

Heskin said: “I am very grateful to Willie for the opportunities today. I knew at the start of the season it wouldn’t be easy to get going (back in Ireland), but I’m getting great support from a lot of smaller trainers.

“That (Judicieuse Allen) was my first ride for Willie. I ride out two days a week there, a day a week in Henry De Bromhead’s and another day in Tony Martin’s and anywhere I can for the other days.

“It is great to be getting the backing of Willie Mullins and after today’s winners, it has been a good year.”

A treble at Leopardstown meant Mullins enjoyed an across-the-card seven-timer in all.



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Limerick assignment looks ‘ideal’ for Gaelic Warrior

Patrick Mullins is relishing the prospect of partnering the hugely exciting Gaelic Warrior in the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick.

The record-breaking amateur memorably rode Faugheen to land the Patrickswell circuit’s festive feature four years ago when getting the better of a much-anticipated clash with Samcro, and he has high hopes of repeating the feat on another Rich Ricci-owned star on Thursday.

“Winning on Faugheen was one of the highlights of my career so far, a day I’ll never forget,” said Mullins.

“I’m very excited to get back on Gaelic Warrior, I rode him last year in the Ballymore and we were second behind Impaire Et Passe.

“It looks an ideal race for him on soft ground, going right-handed over an intermediate trip.”

Gaelic Warrior won four times over hurdles, including at Grade One level, but could scale even greater heights over the larger obstacles judged on the manner of his debut at Punchestown last month.

However, with a clutch of talented rivals lying in wait – including a top-class stablemate in Il Etait Temps – Mullins is taking nothing for granted.

He added: “It’s a competitive race. American Mike beat Fact To File and has form with Facile Vega, Il Etait Temps is a Grade One winner and the other two horses (Lucid Dreams and Inothewayurthinkin) are no slouches either, so there’s no no-hoper in the race.

“Gaelic Warrior was very good in Punchestown. I think the more races he has, the less fresh he gets, but he seems to enjoy chasing, so hopefully we can have another day to remember.”



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Gevrey seals profitable global weekend for Elliott yard

Gevrey bounced back from Kerry National disappointment to lift the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick.

Having previously plundered the €100,000 feature with dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll in 2016 and Aforementioned in 2020, Gordon Elliott appeared intent on adding to his tally as he saddled eight of the 12 runners to go to post for the latest running of the three-mile contest.

Gevrey was among the leading contenders for last month’s Kerry National at Listowel, but was pulled up after making a bad mistake three fences from the finish.

The seven-year-old was a 6-1 chance to redeem himself in the hands of Ricky Doyle and did just that, knuckling down from the final fence to see off Largy Debut by two and a quarter lengths.

Coral cut Gevrey to 25-1 from 40-1 for the Grand National at Aintree in April.

Elliott, who also saddled the third placed Coko Beach, has been in New Jersey, where he trained three winners on the undercard of the American Grand National at Far Hills on Saturday.

Gevrey after winning at Limerick
Gevrey after winning at Limerick (Thomas Weekes/PA)

His assistant Lisa O’Neill said: “This is fantastic, we had a great day yesterday and the horses are running well.

“Gevrey always looked like there was a big pot in him and it is great for him to fulfil his potential. He has bags of stamina, he loves that ground and Ricky gave him a great ride.

“Gordon came back on a flight into Dublin this morning along with Jack (Kennedy).”

Doyle rode the winner of the Kerry National in the shape of Desertmore House, who only made it into the race when Elliott withdrew two of his runners.

He said: “Thanks to Gordon for putting me on the horse and it was because of him that I ended up getting into the Kerry National as a second reserve last month. To be able to repay him back is great.

“That’s my first winner for Gordon so it’s not a bad one to get. I’ve been going into Gordon’s for the past two seasons and while I was getting plenty opportunities, I didn’t get much luck previously.

“This game is a big roundabout and you have to keep all doors open and I enjoy going to Gordon’s where it’s good craic and I ride some good horses. They are fun mornings and to ride a winner like this is a big bonus.”

Quilixios with Rachael Blackmore
Quilixios with Rachael Blackmore (PA)

There was a notable name in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, where 2021 Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios made a successful fencing debut on his first outing for 610 days.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge did have to survive a final-fence blunder, however, before rewarding even-money backers by a neck.

Winning rider Rachael Blackmore said: “I’m not sure what happened us at the last but he jumped a little right throughout.

“It is great to get him back and he is beautiful. He feels like a very good horse – which we know he is – and it was a great result, albeit it wasn’t that pretty.”



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Bumper double takes Mullins over 200 Irish winners for the season

Willie Mullins enjoyed a landmark afternoon as he registered an across-the-card bumper double at Limerick and Naas, bringing up his 200th winner of the season in Ireland in the process.

The horse to give the champion trainer the double century was Junta Marvel (85-40), who made a successful debut in the Storms The Stars @ Coolagown Stud Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race at Limerick.

JP McManus-owned point-to-point victor Bioluminescence was the 5-4 favourite, but Junta Marvel saw her off by two and half lengths in the hands of Patrick Mullins.

“It was a good performance,” said the record-breaking amateur.

“She was a little keen early on but we got to pick a nice strip of ground. Being by Masked Marvel, she loved the ground and while we hoped to have her ready for a Listed bumper, she could still make the Grade Three mares’ bumper at Punchestown next month.

“That’s 200 wins for the yard this season, our best was 212 so hopefully we can beat that.

“We’ve had a brilliant season and it’s not over yet with Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown ahead.”

It did not take long for the Mullins camp to make it 201, with Mirazur West justifying market confidence in the Nursery Of Champions INH Flat Race at Naas.

The Westerner gelding looked set to win a point-to-point at Dromahane in November when falling at the final fence under Derek O’Connor, who was again on board for his debut under rules.

Carrying the McManus silks, Mirazur West was all the rage as the 1-2 favourite, despite facing a point-to-point winner and £360,000 purchase in Henry de Bromhead’s Mahon’s Way, and made every yard of the running on his way to a two-and-a-half-length success.

He’s My Hero, who set his connections back £120,000 after finishing second in the point-to-point sphere, narrowly beat Mahon’s Way to the runner-up spot.



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Thedevilscoachman advertises Irish National claims at Limerick

Thedevilscoachman teed himself up for a possible tilt at the Irish Grand National with victory in the Way To Paris @ Coolagown Stud Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase at Limerick.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old was bidding for a second successive Grade Three prize for trainer Noel Meade, having been awarded victory by the stewards at Naas in late January after a thrilling tussle with Ramillies.

Denis O’Regan took over in the saddle from the recently retired Bryan Cooper and after stalking recent Gowran Park scorer Grandero Bello into the home straight, 11-8 favourite Thedevilscoachman picked him off on the run-in before pulling two and a half lengths clear.

Paddy Power make the winner their 5-1 favourite from 8-1 for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, although the Fairyhouse Gold Cup Novice Chase the previous afternoon is a possible alternative.

The owner’s racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “That was grand and the ground was made for him. It was an ideal race and you couldn’t have it soft enough for him. You couldn’t have asked for better today.

“We’ll see what Noel thinks and how he comes out of the race but we’ll see about the Irish National as if he got really soft ground, it might be a different kettle of fish and he could run in the Fairyhouse Gold Cup.

“Denis let him warm up into it and the further he went, the better he jumped. You could only be happy with him.”

Berry also provided an update on McManus’ retained rider Mark Walsh, who has been out of action since suffering a crashing fall from Corbetts Cross at the Cheltenham Festival last week.

“Mark is in better form this week and hopefully will be back for Easter. It is quite slow but he is getting there,” Berry added.

Gordon Elliott at the Cheltenham Festival last week
Gordon Elliott at the Cheltenham Festival last week (Mike Egerton/PA)

Trainer Gordon Elliott enjoyed a double on the card, with the 13-8 success of Deeply Superficial in the Tote Mares Hurdle supplemented by victory for 4-6 favourite The Yellow Clay in the Listed bumper.

A winner on his debut at Leopardstown three weeks ago, the latter followed up with a two-and-a-half length verdict in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion (Pro/Am) Flat Race under Jamie Codd.

“We thought going to Leopardstown that he could be quite a smart one for next year and he has backed that up today. I don’t know what’s in behind him but all you can do is win,” said Codd.

“I’ll speak with Gordon but he has now probably done enough for this year and we’ll treat him like a good horse for next year.

“Noel and Valerie (Moran, of owners Bective Stud) bred him so it makes it more important for them.”



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Liam Burke proves age is no barrier to success in the saddle

There was a remarkable ending to proceedings at Limerick on Sunday when 66-year-old Liam Burke rode the winner of the bumper.

Burke – who last tasted victory aboard Take Beating in June 1988 – partnered Teuchters Glory to victory in the Good Luck To All Irish Runners In Cheltenham (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

No stranger to big-race success having saddled Thyne Again to achieve Grade One glory as a trainer, Burke has also won the Thyestes Chase with My Murphy and Galway Plate with Sir Frederick as a handler.

However, it has been a long 34-year wait to add to his previous 17 victories under rules in the saddle.

Burke – who is the father of top professional rider Jonathan Burke and will now head to Cheltenham to support his son at the Festival – believes this will go down as one of his greatest achievements within racing.

He said: “That was mighty!

“I lost weight and it was a mad notion I took to come back. My knees gave me trouble all along but got both replaced, although it took me ages to get back right. I ride out four or five horses every day and was 66 last Monday.

“I previously rode 38 point to point winners and 17 on the racecourse and actually lost my 7lb and 5lb claims in the past, before the numbers went back up. My last point to point winners were in 1991. ”

He added: “He (Teuchters Glory) is a fair horse but has been hard to keep right. We decided to come back for a bumper as I wanted to keep him as a novice for next season.

“This is very high on my career achievements and is up there with winning the Galway Plate (as a trainer).

“Everyone thinks I’m mad, but you have to be mad to do this job! I’ll probably keep going.”



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