THERE was a Limerick winner on the opening afternoon of the ever-popular Ebor Festival Meeting at York Racecourse.
It came courtesy of the Pat O’Donnell (Herbertstown) trained 14/1 chance Extensio in the 2m1/2f handicap of £100,000.
The winner, owned by his wife Úna and was led up their daughter Sylvia.
“I thought we were tempting fate, but he’s a lucky horse as we got him cheaply and I don’t think we’re finished yet,” said the jovial O’Donnell, in an interview with the Racing Post.
“I said to Joey (Sheridan, jockey) to be the last to challenge and he was one of the first rowing along. I loved that.
“We’re into different territory now. We said that if he won today we’d work back from Royal Ascot. It’s a big shout with a family horse, but we’re not going there for the scenery and we’re entitled to aim there.”
In a television interview, O’Donnell stated: “This (Extensio) is the lucky one. Most equestrians get (one) in their life, and this is our one.”
O’Donnell is just a six-horse trainer.
