Bua Boy, trained and ridden by Denis Hogan, beats stablemate Alabaster© Photo Healy Racing
Denis Hogan retired from race-riding after winning the Arthur Guinness Handicap Hurdle on the well-backed 5/1 favourite Bua Boy
The Doyen gelding had won a maiden hurdle on debut at Cork last year, and had come down 7lbs in the ratings from his initial mark of 115.
Here, he led before the last and kept on to beat stablemate Alabaster by two and a quarter lengths to give Hogan the trainer a one-two.
The Cloughjordan dual-purpose handler will concentrate fully on training from now on.
“I've really enjoyed it and it's hard to let go. I really enjoyed that,” said Hogan.
“I have more things going on nowadays. It's gone so busy at home and there are days when I can't think what's going on as there is so much happening. I wouldn't even know I'm riding sometimes.
“It's going so well. The only reason I could do this so long is because I've got such a great team at home.
“I couldn't have stayed riding for so long if I hadn't had that back-up behind me.
“My parents have been a massive help. I talked to them once or twice about doing this and they said keep doing it if you enjoy it.
“I do enjoy it but I have bigger commitments nowadays and there are plenty of good lads riding there.
“I though he could win but you never know until everything goes right in the race.
“I like Galway and always did. I always trained everything for Galway.
“I thought if ever there was time to go and leave the job, it was here at my favourite track.
“I had a good career, I wouldn't say outstanding but I rode lots of winners and this was probably my Cheltenham.
“I'm happy to concentrate on the training job now. We have a lot of good Flat horses.
“Mick Halford will be happy as he's been telling me for years 'give up that riding craic'. Ted's been telling me and Ruby hinted at it once or twice.
“It was my decision and I'm looking forward to the future now.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
