Going - Yielding. Overcast with showers
Jackpot Pool - 8,298.74 Dividend - 1,157.70 Winning Units - 5.04. Placepot Pool - 30,134.62 Dividend - 29.00 Winning Units - 726.49. Days Aggregate - 241,548.46 (7 races). Last Year 224,345.63 (8 races).
Endorsement off the mark in Tipperary curtain raiser
Redemption Road a local Tipperary winner for Marnane
He had a lovely run the last day but met all sorts of trouble. When you arrive here, you start hearing that this and that is fancied against you in the race, and we told Luke to sit in the box seat, float around and he did it well. He is a typical one of ours as he keeps getting better and is actually quite a nice horse. He is growing up with every run and is growing up at home as well. I don't know what we do from here but he is one for stepping up in trip, although maybe not just yet. He is a lovely looking horse and Amy (Marnane, niece) picked him out at Goffs last year and his stallion is doing well.
Mississippi River brings up Tipperary double for O'Brien and Lordan
Princess Child lands dramatic renewal of Fairy Bridge Stakes
If any horse ever deserved to win a stakes race it was her, although you don't always get what you deserve. She met a bit of trouble in-running but hit the line strong and while it was a head-bobber, she had previously come out the wrong side of a few tight finishes in her career. We had been campaigning her aggressively to try and win a stakes race and while she built a load of black-type, to win a group race is great. I'd say it will be a career-best on the figures and I thought she won the hard way. She is a group winner now so it is job done although we might look to win another one now.
Super sub Grand Marques wins Abergwaun Stakes for Stack
She had been knocking on the door in those races and I brought her to England about 25 times but she then goes and wins close to home!. She had the right draw today and was able to get to the stands' side rail, which was a big help. Nothing really bothered her in front and he (Heffernan) was able to sit until a furlong-and-a-half down. Everything worked in her favour. If they all did what she did, a Listed winner and Group 3-placed, we'd be alright and today's race was a win-and-you're-in for the (Group 1) Flying Five Stakes. We have nothing to lose and all those sprinters seem to be beating each other this year.
Marnane doubles up as Jasmine Affanalis wins apprentice race
The boys (Gormley family, owners) bred her and her half-brother Gavoo, who also won this year for them, so it is another good result. Some of the syndicate are living in Ireland and others are in Dubai and Luxembourg, and she deserved today's win. She will be out of that 0-60 bracket now but hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on her. We gave Gavoo a break as he ran a bit flat in Galway, where the ground didn't suit. I'd like to run him again this year but he'll make into a lovely three-year-old so there is no panic with him. They are very good owners and we will pick our spots with both horses next.
El Bello breaks new ground in landing Tipperary nightcap
It has been a long time since my last win and I didn't have my license for a good few years but always had the odd point-to-pointer. I got Tom (Foley, part-owner), who worked for me when I was in Lisselan Farms, and Don Kingston together so decided to renew my Flat license recently and they gave me a couple of horses. El Bello had been unlucky in-running in Sligo and, to be honest, I was hoping he'd be bang there as he was up in distance today. Nicola gave him a super ride and I went looking for her two days, as she is some rider. I farm as well, so I'm not short of work but would like to build up a few horses to run, preferably over jumps. I'm enjoying being back in it and there were great days with Imperial Call and Whysomayo.