Latest news with #Punchestown
ABC News
a day ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Trump moves up deadline for Putin to reach ceasefire with Ukraine
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.'
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Happy Jacky repeats the feat at Cork
The Mark Fahey-trained 11-year-old Happy Jacky, ridden again by 7lb claimer Peter Smithers, repeated last year's win in the three-mile RBC Brewin Dolphin Hurdle, but only after a protracted duel with market rival Reverend Hubert. Committed turning out of the back straight by Smithers, the even-money favourite looked in trouble when Reverend Hubert loomed up in the straight but, in typical fashion, Happy Jacky fought back bravely on the run-in to earn the spoils by a head, before being dismounted by Smithers. 'He's a little warrior and the lads (owners, the Ryans) love him,' stated winning trainer Fahey. 'I thought he was beaten three times and going to win three times up the straight — but that's him — he never gives up.' Smithers said: "Mark has some job done on him. I was going forward all the way, but thought we were in trouble between the last two, but he dug deep for me.' Eddie Power's dual bumper-winner Sunny South West (5-4 favourite) made a successful start over hurdles when, untidy at the first, he made all under Phillip Enright to take the Buy Tickets On Maiden Hurdle at the expense of William Tell and That Danny Feeling. 'He never jumped those rubber hurdles before and was probably travelling too well and had too much time going down to his hurdles,' explained Power. 'He wants two and a half miles and there's a novice for him on the Thursday of Galway.' Meanwhile, in Kilbeggan, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Amirite, runner-up to Idas Boy in the race last year, bagged the €100,000 Kilmurray's Homevalue Hardware Mullingar Midlands National under an inspired, front-running ride by Darragh O'Keeffe. The nine-year-old, without a chase success since October 2022, jumped impeccably in front, with the exception of the last two fences, but found plenty for a determined O'Keeffe to hold second reserve Mica Malpic and Mark Walsh by a head, with an 11-length gap back to favourite Moonovercloon. 'It's great for his owners and everyone at home,' declared a delighted O'Keeffe. 'He's been knocking on the door in plenty of big handicaps and deserved to win a big pot. 'He's a classy horse and loves good ground. If you took his Punchestown effort out of it and looked at his Aintree run, he was probably entitled to be favourite. 'He missed the last two fences but, in fairness to him, he dug deep and stuck his head out when the other horse came to him.' Stable representative Robbie Power added: 'He ran a blinder in the Topham over the National fences and Paddy (owner Paddy Hale) would like to go back to Aintree, for the National, if he gets in.' The De Bromhead team completed an across-the-card double when debutante Salsinha, backed into 5-4 favourite, bolted up in the Cork bumper, under a supremely confident ride by John Gleeson. The Philip Fenton-trained Shraheen defied top-weight in the €30,000 Writech Handicap Hurdle, Niall Moore's mount travelling close to the pace before seizing the initiative and holding Ad Caelum by three-quarters of a length. 'He's a fine horse, with the stamp of a chaser,' stated Fenton. 'That ground is as quick as he'd want. But I'm very pleased to win another nice pot with him. He needs to get out for a break and, all being well, will go chasing in October or November. He has a good technique over fences.'
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
My ‘one-of-a-kind' jockey dad died in a fall just days before I was born – now I'm riding winners for Willie Mullins
A JOCKEY whose dad died in a tragic fall just days before he was born is rocketing up the ranks - banging in winners for Willie Mullins. Sean Cleary-Farrell has three winners from just four rides for the all-conquering Irish trainer this year. 2 He notched his first career double aboard Mullins ' odds-on hotshots Spanish Harlem and Keep Up at Punchestown on Sunday. Mullins' right-hand man David Casey was full of praise for Cleary-Farrell after. And he hinted he could get the leg up in some big-money races aboard Spanish Harlem - who was fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup - when the new season gets going properly. He said: "Sean is in Willie's full-time and is a good rider and works hard. "He took a couple weeks off and rode a winner on the Flat in France. "These days are for lads like him. He's getting his chance and he's taking it with both hands. "Sean gave Spanish Harlem a good ride and he kept galloping well. "I'd say nicer ground suits him and obviously those extended trips. He ran a real good race at Sandown. "I'd say he'll be looking at races like the Kerry National and Munster National." Cleary-Farrell's rapid success is doubly impressive given the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding his father's death aged just 22. Sean Cleary was one of Ireland's 'leading young riders' and described as a 'one-of-a-kind' talent when he was killed in a race at Galway in October 2003. Tragically, Sean Jnr was born just two months after his father passed as a result of severe head injuries suffered in the spill. Describing his father, Cleary-Farrell said on The Irish Field: "My late father Sean died tragically following a fall at Galway, a couple of months before I was born. "Unfortunately, there are very few videos or DVDs of his rides but photos of his winners still adorn the walls of my grandparents' house. "Growing up I was always aware of who he was and what an accomplished jockey he had been during his short career." Mullins took Cleary-Farrell under his wing at Closutton and the conditional jockey says he loves it there. The Irish handler has also started giving more rides to the hugely promising Anna McGuinness, who had another winner under the Mullins banner last weekend. Given the superstars they ride out at Mullins' HQ every day, it's no surprise they're finding it relatively easy work on the racecourse proper. Speaking after his latest win, Cleary-Farrell said: "I can't describe how I feel, it will take me a while to come down off this cloud. "A big thank you to Willie for giving me the opportunity to ride these horses, he's looking after me." Sounds like they'll be looking out for each other in the winner's enclosure for many months, and hopefully years, to come. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Jockey rushed to hospital and racing delayed after 'nasty' parade ring incident at Punchestown
A jockey has been rushed to hospital after a scary incident in the parade ring. Jake Coen required medical attention after being unseated before the first race at Punchestown on Saturday but was 'conscious and talking'. Racing at the Irish track was delayed while the jumps jockey was treated. Coen was set to ride the Gordon Elliott-trained Arch Empire in the 2m novice hurdle, but the horse was withdrawn after unseating its rider. The medical crew on-track were quick on the scene and Coen, who was booked for two more rides on Saturday, was taken to hospital for further assessment. Taking to X, the IHRB confirmed the slight delay, which lasted around 10 minutes, while Dr Jennifer Pugh, Irish Racing's chief medical officer, provided an update. 'Jake Coen has been stood down following a fall on the way to the start of race one at Punchestown,' she said in a brief statement. 'Jake has been transferred to Tallaght University Hospital for further assessment but was conscious and talking leaving the racecourse.' Racing TV presenter Kevin O'Ryan said: 'Jake is moving everything and he is talking and fully conscious, which he has been from the word go. 'He has been taken to Tallaght Hospital as a precautionary measure. But he is fully conscious and moving everything after that nasty incident.' Coen's other rides on Saturday will now go elsewhere while he is treated. It is not currently clear whether he will return to take his further four rides on Sunday.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Jockey Jake Coen rushed to hospital and racing delayed after parade ring incident
'NASTY' FALL He was said to be moving and talking JOCKEY Jake Coen has been rushed to hospital after a terrifying parade ring incident. Racing at Punchestown was delayed while the jumps jockey was attended to. A post from IHRB Stewards on X confirmed a delay while a message posted on Irish Racing's page read: "Delay to the first race at Punchestown as Jake Coen is receiving medical attention following his fall from Arch Empire in the chute leaving the parade ring." Racing TV presenter Kevin O'Ryan said: "Jake is moving everything and he is talking and fully conscious, which he has been from the word go. "He has been taken to Tallaght Hospital as a precautionary measure. "But he is fully conscious and moving everything after that nasty incident." The incident came before the second race at Irish track Punchestown on Epsom Derby day. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
