18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

1,000 for Russell as Light lands a gamble

Thu 26th Dec 2013, 14:19

Davy Russell is all smiles after he reached the 1000th winner landmarkDavy Russell is all smiles after he reached the 1000th winner landmark
© Photo Healy Racing

Davy Russell recorded his 1,000th career success as he partnered Sea Light to victory in the Copper Face Jacks Handicap Hurdle for trainer Charles Byrnes.

The five-year-old son of Brian Boru was backed like defeat was out of the question, and having opened at 3/1 with Paddy Power this morning, she went from 9/4 to 7/4 clear favourite on-course.

Having raced in mid-division throughout, the bay gelding made progress into third in the early straight, coming through to lead before the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score comfortably by three lengths. Beneficial Spirit ran a fine race to finish second at 20/1 under Andrew Ring for Philip Rothwell, while Spacious Sky was three and three parts of a length back in third under Robbie Colgan for Tony Martin at 12/1.

Davy Russell said afterwards: "I didn't even realise that was my one thousand winner. I couldn't have done it for a better man. He has supported me throughout my career, and he has been with me all the way through.

"This fellow jumped great and the nice ground helped him."

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.