Weekly Limerick racing news with Castletown rider Billy Lee to the fore.
Limerick Racing News
Castletown rider Billy Lee was in terrific form at Fairyhouse on Monday as he helped himself to a 71-1 double, which included winning the feature Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes on the Willie McCreery-trained Lethal Promise. The two-year-old filly, owned by Irish National Stud Breeding & Racing Club, made most of the running on the way to a one and three-quarter length win over Iverleigh. Lee completed his double on the Joe Murphy-trained Gustavus Weston in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden.
Other Racing News
Aidan and Donnacha dominate Newmarket card
The father and son combination of Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien dominated last Saturday’s Newmarket card – winning the first three races of the day which included a pair of Group 1s. Ten Sovereigns maintained his unbeaten record to land the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. The son of No Nay Never was prominent throughout and held off the fast-finishing challenge of Jash to make it three wins from three runs. When asked to go on under Donnacha O’Brien, the colt responded for a half-length win which rewarded punters who backed him into 8-13 favourite. Ten Sovereigns has been cut to 9-2 for the Dewhurst back at Newmarket next month, while Paddy Power make him a 5-1 shot for next year’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Fairyland displayed her battling qualities again, just as she did when winning the Lowther Stakes at York on her previous start, to give Aidan O’Brien a third consecutive victory in the Group 1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.
The 6-1 shot confirmed her York form with The Mackem Bullet, who ran another fine race in second, with the winner’s stablemate So Perfect narrowly behind in third.
The first leg of Aidan and Donnacha’s terrific treble arrived in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes with 8-1 chance Mohawk. He led home a 1-2 for the Ballydoyle stable with 20-1 outsider Sydney Opera House following him home one and a quarter lengths behind.
Patrick Mullins scoops McCoy award at Cheltenham
Patrick Mullins’s inspirational Cheltenham Festival victory aboard Rathvinden in the National Hunt Chase was named ride of the season in the annual McCoy Awards on Friday night. Riding for his father Willie, the amateur held a midfield position and recovered from a mistake at the 11th fence before coming out victorious in a thrilling battle to deny Ms Parfois in the National Hunt Chase. The McCoy Awards, which began last year, celebrate the success of performances throughout the jumps season a
Mendelssohn third at Belmont Park
Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore operation’s dream of landing the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is still alive after their gallant globetrotter Mendelssohn ran valiantly in defeat when third in last night’s Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, New York. The mount of Ryan Moore managed to remain competitive deep into the $750,000 Grade 1 ran on the American dirt surface despite having been in the thick of an extremely strong early pace, which saw the favourite Diversify fade disappointingly.
O’Brien’s former UAE Derby winner was lining up in the Big Apple on his way to competing for the world renowned Breeders’ Cup Classic on the first weekend in November at Churchill Downs, Kentucky – a race which is one of the only omissions from the Ballydoyle handler’s glittering CV.
McManus snaps up Aintree festival winner
It was a busy week for JP McManus, who gifted €3.2 million to the GAA on Monday before adding Grade 2 Aintree mares’ bumper winner Getaway Katie Mai to his team of jumpers. Trained by John Queally, who is best known for his handling of three-time Aintree Hurdle winner Al Eile, Getaway Katie Mai shot to prominence last season when finishing second behind subsequent Cheltenham Bumper winner Relegate at the Dublin Racing Festival, before confirming herself a top prospect when winning at Aintree. Queally, who has lacked a flag bearer in recent seasons, is relishing taking the wraps off his stable star this term. After the Aintree success, Queally suggested a Flat campaign would come under consideration for Getaway Katie Mai, but has shelved that idea for the time being, with jumping hurdles her more immediate target.
Upcoming Fixtures
Roscommon – Monday October 1st (First Race 2.05)
Naas – Tuesday October 2nd (First Race 2.00)
Cork – Wednesday October 3rd (First Race 2.05)
Clonmel – Thursday October 4th (First Race 2.05)
Gowran Park – Friday October 5th (First Race 1.55)
Dundalk – Friday October 5th (First Race 6.00)
Gowran Park – Saturday October 6th (First Race 1.55)
Tipperary – Sunday October 7th (First Race 1.40)
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