Blackbow (right) battles it out with Ballyneety and The Holy One© Photo Healy Racing
Memories of Florida Pearl were evoked at Leopardstown after Blackbow carried the same red and white silks to success in the Lep Inn Flat Race.
Florida Pearl, twice a winner at the Cheltenham Festival and a legend at the Foxrock track having won the Hennessy Gold Cup a record four times, won this same bumper 21 years ago to the day.
Blackbow is owned by a syndicate comprising the O’Leary family and friends, and the 5/4 favourite battled gamely after being headed in the straight by Ballyneety to score by three and three quarter lengths under Patrick Mullins. The Holy One kept on to take the runner-up spot as Ballyneety weakened back to finish third.
Out of the fire! Blackbow makes a winning Irish debut for Willie and Patrick Mullins in the finale on day one of the @LeopardstownRC Christmas Festival: pic.twitter.com/mL8gBL9x8G— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 26, 2017
Out of the fire! Blackbow makes a winning Irish debut for Willie and Patrick Mullins in the finale on day one of the @LeopardstownRC Christmas Festival: pic.twitter.com/mL8gBL9x8G
The Stowaway gelding, like Florida Pearl, is trained by Willie Mullins who said, "Patrick said he worked very well one day when I was away and he was right.
"He's one to look forward to, and will improve as he's so big and backward. Hopefully he's one for the Cheltenham bumper, and this is usually a good race."
