Happy Anniversary holds off Macnas to complete her hat-trick© Photo Healy Racing
Happy Anniversary completed her hat-trick of wins while her rider Joseph O’Brien completed his treble as they combine to win the O'Keeffe's Marquee Hire Rathmore Handicap.
Trained in Gowran, Co Kilkenny by Dick Donohoe, the winning 6yo daughter of Intikhab started her winning streak at Bellewstown a week ago yesterday.
She just got up under Joseph O'Brien to beat Lady Lyrath that day and on Thursday gone she followed up by easily winning another handicap at Leopardstown by three and a half lengths under Ross Coakley.
Sent off the 5/4 favourite to complete her hat-trick this evening, she disputed the lead with Macnas in the early stage before she was ridden and strongly pressed from two furlongs out.
O’Brien then got serious aboard the bay and she responded well to his urgings as she hit the front over a furlong out and stayed on well from there to score by a length and three parts.
Macnas plugged on to take second for James Hartnett with Marc Monaghan aboard at 11/1 while there was a further length back to Maundy Money in third at 10/1 for David Marnane and Sam James.
Joseph O’Brien was of course recording a treble on the day having won aboard George Vancouver and Mars both for his father Aidan at Dundalk this afternoon.
He arrived at Killarney via chopper at around 6:30 this evening after riding in the last at Dundalk at 4:55.
Winning trainer Dick Donohoe said afterwards: "She had to work hard but she is a very genuine filly.
"She has a date at the Goresbridge Sales on July 26th and anyone who wants a nice mare can have her.
"That could be her last run for me. Soft ground suits her really well."
Despite being drawn to come out of stall No 2, the winner was put in stall 1 while Maundy Money, who was drawn in stall 1 was in fact put in stall 2.
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
