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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Keane breaks new ground on Khartoum

Sun 11th Oct 2020, 13:46

Khartoum is ridden out by Colin KeaneKhartoum is ridden out by Colin Keane
© Photo Healy Racing

Colin Keane successfully teamed-up with Aidan O'Brien for the first time, as Khartoum took the opener at the Curragh this afternoon, the Curragh Where Champions Are Made Maiden.

Third on debut at Naas last month, the American bred colt was expected to go a few places better this afternoon and was sent off the 2/1 favourite.

Soon in front, the son of Pioneerof The Nile made all and while he was pressed with less than two furlongs to race, he pulled out more inside the final furlong, going on to score by two and a quarter lengths. Supershock (9/1) ran well to finish second under Robbie Colgan for Sheila Lavery, while Jim Bolger's Salvucci (6/1) was another half a length back in third.

Keane said afterwards: "He's a big, raw, unfurnished horse. I was talking to Aidan beforehand and he said that he'd come forward from Naas which he has and you would imagine he will come forward from today.

"He should turn into a nice mile to mile and a quarter horse next year on nicer ground but he handled that ground well.

"It's nice to get off the mark for him. I'd one ride for him last year but no joy."

STEWARDS REPORT

S. Foley, rider of Cooper's Hawk trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount reared up leaving the stalls.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
2/1Fav
Tote €2.70 €1.30
2nd
2.25L
9/1
€2.50
3rd
0.5L
6/1
€1.60
4th
nk
17/2
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.