18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Two stablemates for the notebook

Shantou Magic on the way to success at AffaneShantou Magic on the way to success at Affane
© Photo Healy Racing

Eoghan O'Grady won successive races at the Dungarvan Harriers point-to-point at Affane last Sunday, with a pair of youngsters that should be in anyone's names to remember list.

The yellow and red O'Grady silks have long since been familiar to racegoers on the track through the exploits of the likes of On The Net, The Book Thief and most recently Clashnabrook.

Derek O'Connor donned those colours for the ride on Shantou Magic in the Twomeys Eurospar & Paddy Corkery 5-y-o geldings' Maiden (division one). The well-fancied half-brother to three time victor, Ben Cee Pee M, always looked comfortable on his way to a four length success over Isaacstown Lad.

In the preceding second split of the Brightwells 4-y-o Maiden, the Gerry Mangan-ridden Drop Out Joe sealed the issue with a great leap at the last, going on to see off Line D'Aois by three lengths.

O'Grady took up the story: "They (Drop Out Joe and Shantou Magic) are both entered in the sales (Doncaster Sales after Hennessy Gold Cup Day at Newbury) on the first of December. That's probably where they'll go I'd say.

"They both went from the front, jumped well and done their job well. Shantou Magic had a good run in Kilmallock last season. He was hampered and nearly got knocked out of the race. He stayed on well to be third that day.

"The two of them are 16.2 I'd say, both fine big horses. They both came from the Derby Sale.

"Drop Out Joe is still a bit green but he stayed at it well. When he learns his job I'd say he'd be able to win over shorter trips on the track.

"He jumps very well and he does stay well.

"Drop Out Joe's dam would be a half-sister to that good mare of Richard Phillips' (La Landiere). She was a good racemare, winning ten races."

La Landiere won seven on the bounce in the 2002/03 campaign, including the Racing Post Chase and the Cathcart at the Cheltenham Festival. (EM)