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

Tom Weekes

Shanahan's Spartan wins Her Majesty's Plate

Fri 28th Jul 2017, 20:53

The Tartan Spartan and Ronan WhelanThe Tartan Spartan and Ronan Whelan
© Photo Healy Racing

Irish racegoers could be forgiven for wondering who The Tartan Spartan is, but the colt, trained in Co Kilkenny and having his ninth career start, made a winning Irish debut at Down Royal today when landing the featured Listed Her Majesty's Plate.

Trainer Pat Shanahan and owner Thistle Bloodstock Limited often campaign their horses in Britain and while The Tartan Spartan initially raced in Britain, including a down-the-field finish in last year’s English St Leger, he ventured to France for his latest run, when fifth at Chantilly.

Today the son of The Carbon Unit was tasting action in another country, Northern Ireland, but admittadly his own jurisdiction and following his win under jockey Ronan Whelan, Shanahan stated that’s not bad for his first run in Ireland!

“He’s a nice horse, and always has been a nice horse.

“Long-term we could head for the Melbourne Cup if he gets high enough in the ratings. I’d imagine his next target will probably be the Irish Leger. If he runs well in the Leger he could go up again.

"He's a massive, big horse. We didn't train him as a two-year-old and he won a very good maiden in Thirsk as a three-year-old. He's been campaigned high but he is back to his own level now. He has been knocking on the door in very competitive races."

Quotes from Michael Graham

1st
10/1
Tote €12.60 €2.70
2nd
1.5L
13/8Fav
€1.02
3rd
hd
9/2
€1.80
4th
1L
33/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.