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Treble-winning One Cool Poet makes history

One Cool Poet and Billy Lee won their third race of the week for trainer Matthew Smith, left, and his son James One Cool Poet and Billy Lee won their third race of the week for trainer Matthew Smith, left, and his son James
© Photo Healy Racing

"One Cool Poet is racing clear - brings up a rare, a unique Galway Festival hat-trick and dots in," said racecourse commentator Jerry Hannon as One Cool Poet won his third race at Ballybrit in less than a week.

The race unfolded in a broadly similar fashion to his two previous victories as he tanked into contention off the home bend and arrived on the scene pulling double at the furlong pole.

Again, once Billy Lee hit the button the race was soon over, as the pair surged into the lead inside the final furlong and romped home by five lengths.

He attracted support from 7/2 to 11/4 for this extended mile and three handicap.

He won by a length and a half over a mile and a half on Thursday and by a neck in an extended mile race on Tuesday. Lee has been on board for all three victories. Father Ailbe (25/1) won the race for second today, a neck in front of Share The Honour at 8/1.

Trainer Matthew Smith said: "It is brilliant and I'm shocked and it is dream stuff for me.

"He has been up and down to the yard all week and was out in the field on Wednesday, had a hack on Thursday morning, same on Friday and then today.

"He was really relaxed and chilled out in the parade ring and I was going to tell Billy (Lee) that I thought he was better today but was nearly afraid to say it!

"Busted Tycoon did it a few years ago but that was on the flat and over hurdles and this lad is the first to do three on the flat (at the Galway Festival)."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.