Westerner wins in style on return

Gary Carson

Published at Nov 4, 2026, 15:30

Darragh O'Keeffe and Henry de Bromhead
© Healy Racing Photos

The Big Westerner justified her short odds when running out an impressive winner on her return to action at Wexford this afternoon.

Henry de Bromhead's charge went to post a 1/3 shot in the Listed Michael Hickey Memorial Chase and it proved plain sailing as she made all in the two-mile-seven contest.

Darragh O'Keeffe's mount jumped well at the head of affairs and had Bossofthebrownies under pressure running down the hill to the straight.

The Big Westerner was shaken up briefly on the run-in to assert and O'Keeffe could afford to stand up again late on to record a 15 length success.

It was a double on the card for the Mariga family, with having also landed the opener in the Coolmara Stables colours.

"I'm delighted with that. Darragh was really happy with her,” said de Bromhead.

“She jumped great, did everything right and looked to really enjoy herself. It's nice to get her season started.

“I haven't really thought beyond today. She's in the Betfair Chase but it feels like it could be too soon.

“I probably regretted training her for Cheltenham last year then we get there and the ground is too good.

“I'd say we'll do more on softer ground this year and see where we are. We won't be so Cheltenham focused."

(Quotes by John O'Riordan)

About Gary Carson

Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.

View Latest Articles by Gary Carson

Latest Stories which may interest you

Friday Tipping: 'Related to a couple of winners over a mile, it is hoped this longer journey can bring about enough improvement to get her head in front again'

Dundalk on Friday evening gets underway at 5.15pm with unusually just three of the seven races attracting full fields of 14 following on from the fixture there on Wednesday where just two of the septet managed to reach the declaration maximum.

Clubman completes treble for Nolan

Paul Nolan made it three on the day at Wexford when The Big Clubman asserted late on to land the racingtv.com/freetrial Beginners Chase on his debut over fences.

Robyn Donaghue Leahy: 'I thought it really sharpened me up as a rider as you want to look like the good lads and there are great lads in there.'

Four wins from four rides at Dundalk. That’s what 25-year-old Robyn Donaghue Leahy achieved recently over three fixtures at the Co Louth venue, making the six hour round trip from her Waterford base all the more worthwhile.