Carlingford Lough and Tony McCoy (right) jump the last behind Foxrock (left)© Photo Healy Racing
The universe conspired for the perfect racing result at Leopardstown today as all-over-the-news Tony McCoy won the featured Hennessy Gold Cup on the J.P. McManus owned Carlingford Lough on the racing legend's final attempt as a jockey in Ireland's most prestigious Grade 1 race.
The Dublin venue was fortunate to have McCoy ride a winner earlier in the afternoon on Sort It Out in a lowly handicap hurdle but on Carlingford Lough, viewers were treated to a McCoy 'special'.
Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere led the field rounding the home turn but was headed by Foxrock jumping the final fence.
Carlingford Lough, which had raced behind the leaders, was just fourth rounding the home turn and landed third over the last. However the gelding stayed on powerfully on the run-in under a typically determined McCoy to edge past Foxrock close home, for a three parts of a length win.
It was McCoy's first win in Ireland's Gold Cup and afterwards the soon to be confirmed 20 times British Champion Jockey stated "you can't fight fate, it was obviously meant to be. Fair play to (winning trainer) John Kiely - he always produces this horse right. It's great for J.P. (McManus, winning owner), Noreen and their family who are here and for my family who are here too. I have to be careful not to get to emotional, it's bad for the image!"
The win was a deeply emotional one and Kiely himself later reported "it was a great finish and it was special to have AP - he gave him a peach of a ride, didn't he? He's a hell of a fella - we'd have him again!
"It's the culmination of a great period for the horse and it was a privilege to have AP riding for us. He gave him a peach of a ride and did exactly as he was told!
"We'll take it a day at a time with him and see what happens. We've been patient with him and he's kept improving from day one."
"It will depend on what Frank (Berry, racing manager) and Mr McManus say now with regards to his next target."
"It's a great success for his breeder George Vasicek and my thanks go to everyone, especially John Thomas (McNamara) who broke him, started him and gave him a proper attitude as to how to race.
Carlingford Lough was later cut to 8/1 (from 16s) with Paddy Power for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
