Coonan collects in Student Derby University of Galway student Billy Coonan today added success in Leopardstown’s Horseware Ireland Student Derby to a previous English Amateurs’ Derby win in 2023, as he scored on Star Mind (4s — 3/1). Maynooth-native Coonan had steered Belgoprince to win over the world-famous 1m4f distance at Epsom in August 2023 and today patiently partnered Star Mind to a 3.25 lengths success from Baila Conmigo, in front of a sizeable ‘Students’ Day’ crowd. The race was confined to student riders and afterwards winning trainer Gerard O’Leary said “I got a call from Dean Curran who works for me, and he told that me Billy was in Gavin’s (Cromwell) and was a very good pilot, so that’s how it came about. I’m just delighted to win.” The trainer had also sent out Zipster to finish third and added “it’s brilliant to win it but I couldn’t split my two horses, although Star Mind had a very easy two-week break between runs, whereas Zipster had a harder race at Gowran last week. “We only cantered Star Mind at home, we didn’t work her and Billy said she actually took a blow turning-in, so we got away with it.” Quotes from Gary Carson
