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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Queally plans to turn pro after big race win

Fri 1st Oct 2021, 16:54

Western Victory and Declan QueallyWestern Victory and Declan Queally
© Photo Healy Racing

Declan Queally, a successful amateur both on the point-to-point field and under rules, has announced that he intends to turn professional after a big race win aboard Western Victory at Gowran this afternoon.

The 32-year-old County Waterford-based rider, who has partnered 228 winners in point-to-points and a further 62 under rules, stated his intention after giving Western Victory a polished ride to land the BetVictor Pat Walsh Memorial Irish EBF Mares Hurdle at Gowran.

Queally, whose brother Tom has enjoyed a successful riding career and will forever be associated with the great Frankel, said: “I’ve a lot of miles on the clock point-to-pointing but I’m still only 32 and have a good team of horses and staff. We have about 40 horses in at the moment.

“I started training because I wasn’t riding enough and when we’ve built up to where we are now I can be competitive and I’m enjoying it.”

Queally was seen to great effect on Western Victory, who took up the running around halfway and built up a big lead by three out.

The eight-year-old mare kept up a strong gallop in the straight and was strong at the finish of this two-mile Listed race to beat the Gordon Elliott-trained pair Say Goodbye and Make My Heart Fly by ten lengths and three and three quarter lengths respectively.

Queally said of the 11/4 chance: “She stays all day and at this level she is hard to beat.

“The plan was to make it a real test and that’s why I rode her as if I went too quick I could blame no one only myself.

“She has been some flagbearer for the yard and we owe her a lot.

“She will probably go to a broodmare sale in a few months time. She is so versatile, any trip and any ground.

“She’s a half-sister to Tell Us More so she has it all going for her and should make a few quid.”

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.