Sunchart seen here winning at Tipperary under Ben Coen© Photo Healy Racing
Oisin Orr may have drawn level on the final day of the season but an apprentice championship represented a major triumph for Andrew Slattery. It only went to continue a rich tradition in the game for the Cooldine, Killenaule, Thurles, County Tipperary family.
Andrew’s father Andy has markedly increased the size of his Flat racing string in recent years, having come from a background of nurturing young National Hunt talent, often through the point-to-point game, before selling on.
He has much to look forward to in 2020, including with Pat Garvey’s impressive Tipperary maiden scorer, Sunchart.
“The plan was to run Sunchart in the Eyrefield Stakes but the morning before the race he had a temperature. We’ve let him off now for the winter and he’s been entered for the Derby,” explained Slattery.
Rebel Tale also carries Garvey’s grey and red silks. He made even greater waves on the juvenile scene than Sunchart, placing at Group Two level.
“Rebel Tale had sore shins after Leopardstown the last day and is on a break now as well. He’s in the Guineas, so they are two nice colts going through for next year and they should both improve,” said the man that famously set the ball rolling on the ‘Faugheen The Machine’ story.
“Rebel Tale has been off now about six weeks and he’s turned into a fine horse. He’s done really well.”
Looking elsewhere Slattery reflected: “Cityman is finished now for the year. We kept him going for Andrew for the (apprentice) championship and his last run was probably one to many. He’d just gone over the top but he’ll be back for sprint handicaps next year.”
