Kendall Roy succeeds to Listed class at Cork

The application of cheekpieces proved just the trick as Kendall Roy recorded a 28/1 surprise on his reappearance in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Midsummer Sprint Stakes at Cork.

The Katie McGivern-trained gelding was a progressive handicapper winning four times in 2024 and added to his tally in Bahrain last December. Eclairage set a blistering pace in this five-furlong dash but was reeled in over a furlong out, and Kendall Roy finished best of all to lead in the closing stages.

Chris Hayes’ mount had half a length to spare over Likedbymike with Erosandpsyche a further length and three-quarters back in third.

McGivern said, “This is absolutely brilliant. He was delayed coming home from Bahrain so had a break under the sun and while race-fitness was against us today, he had been absolutely bouncing coming off the plane.

"I wanted to keep his one 'fresh' run for this Listed race and I actually fancied him as he had already beaten whatever was in today's field. He loves Cork and loves fast ground.

"He had won on his first run in Bahrain (in December) but then he became keen and his head went, as the track goes downhill over there."

She added, “He initially didn't sell as a breeze-up horse but I had fancied him since he was a yearling, so took a share in him to train. He went up for sale last June so I went to a certain price, but my husband Tom (Hore) kept going and we ended up getting him back.

"Kendall Roy actually brought home a virus from Bahrain, so I was left with a few more 'breezers' in the past few months, as it wasn't my year to sell them. We'll try and do a Plan B with those ones now."

Quotes by Tom Weekes