The Ferryman drifts across the track at Tipperary but still wins© Photo Healy Racing
The Ferryman (11/8) shed his maiden tag at Tipperary despite the bit slipping through his mouth causing him to drift right across the track in the final furlong of the seven and a half furlong contest for two-year-olds.
Afterwards jockey Joseph O’Brien, who was bringing up a double for his father Aidan and himself, commented on the steering malfunction. He said: “I think he saw another horse walking back in and it just caught his eye. He’s just a green two-year-old. The bit went through his mouth.
“He has done us very well. He handled the ground but would probably be better on nicer ground."
O’Brien made all on the son of Galileo and had the field in trouble a furlong out. When The Ferryman drifted across the track stable companion Line Drummer on debut, closed to within a length and a half at 10/1 under Seamie Heffernan.
It was another length and three parts back to Leitir Mor the 10/11 favourite for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.
The betting market got confused over this race. The Ferryman was backed from 5/4 to 4/6 this morning, but drifted from 8/11 to 11/8 on course. Leitir Mor was uneasy early today from 6/1 to 15/8, but was all the rage at the track from 7/4 to 10/11.
The Ferryman’s only previous outing was at Dundalk last week when he was beaten four and three quarter lengths into second place by stable companion Mars. Those holding ante-post vouchers for Epsom Derby favourite Mars will be glad to see the form boosted here.
Michael Graham (on course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
