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Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Double joy for Joseph O'Brien at Killarney
The O'Brien family enjoyed a tremendously successful time during the three Flat days of the Killarney festival and Joseph ensured that continued into the National Hunt section as, from five runners on Thursday's card, he sent out two winners, two runners-up and one fourth-placed finisher. With himself, his father, Aidan, and his brother, Donnacha, on the mark earlier in the week as trainers, and his sister, Ana, having joined the group as a winning owner here on Wednesday, it was turn of Sarah to continue the O'Brien dominance of the week when Nitty Gritty took the opener, the Laurels Pub Maiden Hurdle. To get Joseph's day off to the perfect start, he had to respond to all of JJ Slevin's calls to collar long-time leader Cocovic in the shadow of the post. 'Seán (Flanagan, aboard Cocovic) and I ended up fighting it out, and we sat first and second most of the way, so it was nice to win it,' said Slevin. 'Seán was about a length in front of me jumping the last and I definitely thought I was coming out on the wrong side of it, but my lad stuck out his head and fought all the way to the line.' Even though Galileo Sand, in the Kerry Drains Bumper, was the shortest priced of O'Brien's runners, he required plenty of assistance from the saddle to get his nose in front in a competitive race. Fortunately, he had John Gleeson on his back and the young rider was at his most persuasive as he got his mount back up to deny Tandy's Bridge and longtime leader Ripsnorter. Asked about the winning trainer, stable representative Michael Halford was full of praise for O'Brien, who turn out the winners at all levels and under both codes. 'He's a remarkable man,' said Halford. 'His enthusiasm and energy for it is unmatched. Every bit as much effort and thought goes into these horses as any of them. He leaves no stone unturned, and it's great to even be a small part of it. To see it in operation is something else. He's so good at it, it just comes so naturally to him to train horses.' Of the bumper winner, he said: 'He showed a great attitude. He's tough as nails. Typical of Joseph's horses, they're fit and hard and keep grinding it out. They don't need for anything, and John gave him a very good ride.' The Gordon Elliott-trained Emily Love is a mare in great form and she made it four in a row for the summer by taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares' Hurdle. The sequence began in Limerick, continued in Perth and then Kilbeggan, and with the aid of Josh Williamson's 7lb claim, it followed on here. Swelltime won for the sixth time in his career when taking the Adara Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle under a front-running ride by Jake Coen. Trained in Limerick by William O'Doherty, the now nine-year-old was a winner of a similar race at the August meeting here in 2024 and, 2lbs lower this time, he was able to dictate despite taking a wide part throughout, and ultimately he won with a nice bit in hand. The KPH Construction 110 Series Final Handicap Hurdle was the feature on yesterday evening's National Hunt card in Killarney and county Waterford trainer John Flavin landed the spoils with Duty Bound, thanks to a strong ride by Donagh Meyler. It was as competitive as one would expect for a race of this nature and when the 18-1 chance got the better of a protracted duel with the strong-travelling Boston Rajj, he had to fend off the flying finish of Duke Silver, which he did by half a length. 'I was a long way from home when he came off the bridle but as soon as I gave him a squeeze, he jumped back on it,' said Meyler. 'He's a bit like his trainer: he likes a bit of hardship. He had plenty to aim at in the straight and it suited him down to the ground. One thing he does is stay. He wouldn't do much in a hurry but, to be fair to him, he stuck his head out and battled to the line.' Seven-pound claimer Calum Hogan, who rode a winner for Philip Rothwell on Monday at Downpatrick, was on the board for his boss, Eric McNamara, by taking the Dr Ivo O'Sullivan Memorial Handicap Hurdle aboard Say It So. Initially patient, he made a move down the back to race prominently on the outside, and sent his mount to the front shortly after straightening up. Thereafter it was a case of coaxing his mount home, and he did so at the expense of the game Shaboozee. Seven-pound claimer Anna McGuinness continues to impress at this early stage of her career, and she kept things simple aboard the Seán Aherne-trained and Ray O'Driscoll-owned Palpatate in the Kate Kearney's Cottage Bumper. 'She had been running well and deserved that,' said Aherne. 'I was a little nervous about the ground because she likes good ground, but she got away with it. She's fit and well, and we might go hurdling now as she has a bit of schooling done.'
Irish Examiner
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Red Letter returns to winning ways in Killarney
Red Letter got back to winning ways in Wednesday night's feature in Killarney - the listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes - and while the conditions required attrition, it left jockey Colin Keane and trainer Shane Lyons excited about what is yet to come from the Juddmonte filly. Not beaten far in the Newmarket Guineas, and touched off in a listed race on her last race before coming here, she faced soft conditions this time but neither they nor the slow pace and, for that matter, the wide draw, was enough to deny the classy sort this return to the winner's enclosure. Fiery Lucy proved a tough nut to crack but Keane was at his most persuasive in the straight and got his mount up late to shade the verdict. 'She's done it the hard way, being drawn wide and caught wide, and it was a good performance,' said Lyons. 'They've pulled a long way clear of the third horse, and it's a hardened listed horse that finished second. 'Colin was delighted the way she handled the ground. She'll get further, and he said, 'when she fills into her frame, she'll be some horse next year'. She's got the job done there. 'Colin said they didn't go quick enough for her. She's got championship cruising speed, and she'll need that for future races. It's a good thing to hear. He said if we got beaten, it would have been because they didn't go quickly enough. 'For future plans, we'll speak to connections, as we always do, but we're pretty excited about it after that.' Conor Cusack is making a splash in the early stages of his career and the 10lb claimer, whose first winner came last Saturday in Limerick, put a second on the board when giving Catena Zapata a fine ride in the Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa Optional Claiming Race. Trained, as was his previous winner, Stepdance, by Henry de Bromhead, with whom the young rider is based, Catena Zapata missed the kick but quickly latched on to the back of the pack and, with a confident and brave ride, Cusack exploited a gap next to the rails before pushing his mount clear to a smooth success. Said the winning rider: 'He missed the break the last couple of times, and I was, if not half expecting it, thinking it could happen, but the blinkers definitely helped, and I got him back up to the pack quickly enough. I got a dream run around after that, and he went away and won well. 'Hopefully things keep going the way they're going, and I must say a massive thanks to Henry as he's trusted me with two nice horses.' Donnacha O'Brien likes to bring a useful sort to Killarney and in A Boy Named Susie, who made a winning debut in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race, he has another high-class prospect. While the debutant was keen in the hands of Gavin Ryan, he showed a great attitude when matters got serious. Putting his head down and pinning back his ears, he strode clear in great style to win by three lengths. 'We thought he was good,' admitted the winning trainer, for whom he was a third winner in three days at this meeting. 'He did a really, really good bit of work at the Curragh a few weeks ago. 'This it was probably a tough ask as he was giving weight to a previous winner, and it's a tough track first time out, as well, but he's obviously just smart. This race has thrown up Iridessa, Luxembourg, and Lambourn last year, and a few Group 2 winners as well, and I think he could be a proper horse.' The winner is owned by Donnacha's sister, Ana, who had a horrific fall here in July 2017, one which brought her riding days to an end. 'It's great for Ana,' O'Brien added. 'It's a better experience for her than the last time she was down here.' Iron Fist and Hellorhighwater dominated the betting for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and the race lived up to market expectation, with the former, trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Shane Foley, leading early and using his experience and class to fend off the persistent challenge of Hellorhighwater by three parts of a length, the pair 12 clear of the remainder. Another to gain a richly deserved first success was the Chris Timmons-trained Still She Blooms, who made all the running and found plenty to win the Rose Hotel Handicap under a well-judged ride by Robbie Colgan. Denis Hogan's team is on good form and Tassarolo, who was a winner over hurdles in June at Clonmel, put a first Flat win on his card when getting up late to take the Start Your Free Month Trial At Handicap under a strong ride by Joey Sheridan. John Murphy put a seal on the meeting's Flat action when Love Sonnet took the finale, the Muckross Irish Gin Handicap. A winner at the May meeting here, the 6lb penalty vastly underestimated the filly as she coasted clear inside the final quarter of a mile and won, pulling up, by 11 lengths. The win provided Colin Keane with his second of the night, and fourth of the meeting.
Irish Examiner
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lot Of Joy ready to open Flat account for Mullins
Ballinrobe preview Accomplished, 136-rated hurdler Lot Of Joy might be capable of registering her first Flat success for Willie Mullins in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap which closes tonight's flat card in Ballinrobe. The seven-year-old mare, successful twice in Sweden before arriving in Closutton, responsible for two Royal Ascot winners last week, finished fourth to stable-companion Echoes In Rain on her stable debut in the 2002 Connacht Hotel Amateur Handicap in Galway. She has failed to deliver on her subsequent starts on the level but has been placed in a couple of premier handicaps along the way, in addition to starting favourite for the 2023 English Cesarewitch. She has won three times over hurdles for Mullins, at Fairyhouse, Gowran Park and Punchestown, including a win at listed level and, most recently, filled fourth spot behind stable-companion Jade De Grugy in the 'Quevega' (Grade 3) and the Grade 1 Mares Champion Hurdle, both at Punchestown. Lot Of Joy, the mount of Royal Ascot victor Seamus Heffernan, remains feasibly treated on a flat mark of 84 and, presumably on her way back to Galway, should be ultra-competitive in this tricky affair. Gordon Elliott's Royal Eagle, who nailed No Niki No in last year's race, returns for a double bid on the back of a hurdle success in Listowel and renews rivalry with Eoghan O'Neill's mare twelve months on. At the bottom of the handicap, the Ger Lyons-trained Heather, with her three-year-old allowance, looks nicely weighted with 8-10, minus the 7lb claim of Nicola Burns. This diminutive filly was beaten less than two lengths when fourth to Galveston in a three-year-old handicap in Naas last time and is one of the main threats to the Mullins mare. Earlier, Joseph O'Brien, who bagged an across-the-card four-timer on Saturday, should be on the mark again with 80-rated Nobler in the Irish Stallion farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. This Amaron gelding has finished in the frame in all six starts, achieving a decent level of form which should make him tough to beat in this type of maiden. Third to Dakota Blue on his three-year-old debut in Navan, he then finished fourth to the progressive Reyenzi on the same track and, lasts time, chased home Admiral Churchill in a one-mile Listowel maiden. Helped by a low draw and, significantly, wearing blinkers for the first time, to help him concentrate, Nobler is likely to be ridden positively by Dylan Browne McMonagle and should be tough to beat. Rated 78, Eoin Griffin's Molto Amichi has obvious claims in the Lodge At Ashford Castle but, a horse who hitst a flat spot in most of his races, the Ballinrobe track might not be ideal for him. And it might be worth opposing him with Joseph O'Brien's mare Janes Harbour, consistent over hurdles before getting off the mark in a maiden hurdle at this venue four weeks ago. She has raced only once on the flat (her debut in Cork last August), but might have sufficient gears to land the spoils.
Irish Examiner
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Magical Hope wins the Group 3 Darley Munster Oaks
Paddy Twomey saddled two leading fancies in the Group 3 Darley Munster Oaks, the feature on Friday's card in Mallow, and it was Magical Hope who gave the trainer his third win in the last four renewals of the race. Colin Keane was on board the former French-based four-year-old and gave the 3-1 chance a positive ride. Kicking from the front just after turning for home, she soon had the remainer of the field in trouble, and won with a nice bit in hand, confirming French form with Lemsairbat, who is now with Joseph O'Brien. It was just a second run in Ireland for the filly, and though she brought plenty of experience from her native France, she is the type who could advance to better company. The winner's stablemate, Bubble Gum, was caught behind the pace and shuffled back in the early stages, but failed to pick up with the opportunity final came. Victory was the completion of a double for Keane, who took the opening race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies' Maiden aboard the Ger Lyons-trained Suzie Songs. Bred for further, the Moyglare Stud filly had to show a smart turn of pace to get up late to deny Havana Anna, the pair impressively clear of the promising Skydance. 'We're one of the lucky stables in the country that we get well bred horses sent to us from Juddmonte, Moyglare, and people like that,' said Lyons. 'She's been a queen, and she's been ready for a while, but we just took our time with the fillies this year. 'She's a lovely filly and did what we've seen at home and there should be plenty of improvement. She wants seven, as you can see with the pedigree, but I wanted to start her at six. The few I have at home; I want to start them at six. I've been patient, so hopefully it starts rewarding because the last couple of weeks have been frustrating, to say the least.' The admirably consistent Fort Vega, trained by Sheila Lavery, gained reward for his consistency by taking the €100,000 Mallow Handicap under Rory Cleary. Ridden patiently, initially, the five-year-old, who missed most of last season, came through strongly to win a shade cosily. Said the winning rider: 'His last two runs were very good, and the trip and conditions suited him today, and I was very lucky to get the ride on him. He's a true seven-furlong horse, and it was a lovely race to ride today. There were nice even fractions and he got a smooth run through, and did it well going to the line.' Andy Slattery has lofty ambitions for Powerful Nation, and understandably so after the three-year-old ran out an easy winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Midsummer Sprint Stakes under the trainer's son, Andy. 'We knew he'd come on for his run at Naas,' said Slattery senior. 'He hit the front a long way out, and he doesn't like that. He idles in front, and I think he'll improve again from today. 'I have a few races picked out for him. He'll go for the Sapphire Stakes next, leading towards the Flying Five, and then the Prix de l'Abbaye, provided everything works out.' Elsewhere on the card, Shay Wallace rode his first winner on the turf, doing so aboard the Jimmy Barcoe-trained Nouvel Espoir, while Danny Murphy's Kilmood Susan proved far too good for her rivals in the five-furlong maiden. Refreshment, ridden by Gavin Ryan, completed an across-the-cards double for trainer Mark Fahey, adding to the earlier success of I Bid You Ajou at Fairyhouse. The former was completing back-to-back winner, while the latter was winning for the third time in little more than a fortnight.
Irish Examiner
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Green Impact amongst the favourites for the Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown
Leopardstown hosts a good card and the listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Glencairn Stakes, which is one of the twin features on the programme, can go the way of Green Impact. While it hasn't been the luckiest of seasons thus far for trainer Jessica Harrington, there have been positive signs in recent weeks, and considering the team was under a cloud when this fellow finished sixth in the Newmarket 2000 Guineas, significant improvement can be expected this time. A Group 2 winner in his short juvenile season, he beat leading Epsom Derby fancy Delacroix that day and there is no reason to believe we've already seen the best of him. In Newmarket, on his return, the pace didn't seem to be strong enough for him, and he found himself towards the head of the field a couple of furlongs from home. He wasn't able to sustain his effort, but he kept going well enough to hold on to sixth place behind Ruling Court. The step up to nine furlongs should be no problem to him, and the recent rain, which has just taken away any potential fast ground scenario, is a positive for him. Sure, it would be better if the Harrington team was saddling winner after winner, but that day is bound to return and he can give the yard a welcome boost. Currawood is a consistent sort at this sort of level and should go well, while the Ger Lyons-trained Bravais defied market weakness when winning on his stable debut and any further improvement would put him firmly in the frame here. Pierre Royal can carry top weight to victory in the BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap. Dermot Weld's Kingman colt was no match for the experienced First Wave on his debut but made no mistake on his second start, when leading all the way and winning by a wide margin. Those efforts earned him an opening mark of 88 and that looks manageable for the three-year-old. Out of Rose De Pierre, who won a Curragh Maiden on debut and followed up in a handicap off a mark of 91, he too can climb to a rating in three figures, and this race can help him on his way there. The Listed King George V Cup is a tricky looking contest, but there may be some value in siding with the Fozzy Stack-trained Bay Colony, despite the filly having a nice bit to find on official figures. Last time out, on her first try at today's trip, she shed her maiden status, and there is a strong chance that the form is considerably better than it looked at the time. Better ground won't be a problem and she is just preferred to Arouet and Acapulco Bay. LEOPARDSTOWN 4:20 Minerva 4:50 Love Billy Boy 5:25 Bay Colony 5:55 Green Impact (nap) 6:25 Pierre Royal (nb) 6:55 Zipster 7:30 Pink Socks 8:05 Great Mover Next best 4:20 Little Sure Shot 4:50 Fort Vega 5:25 Arouet 5:55 Bravais 6:25 Ja'marr 6:55 Tachos 7:30 Instant Appeal 8:05 Amplitude
