Daniel McLoughlin

Leopardstown Thu, 9th Jul, 2026  Duckadilly She was my first winner as a licenced trainer and, as I said the last time, every year she has put me on the map. She won a rated race last year and, obviously she got her stakes win in a Listed race at the start of this year. She has really let down into herself this year and, as the saying goes with fillies when they get older, they do tend to improve. It's brilliant to get a Listed race at the start of the year and, to win a Group race, for value and everything else, even my training career it's brilliant. I won't say it's unbelievable because it is believable when you work for it. All the lads in the yard, they work very hard and it's just reward for all them. It makes you get up every day when you love what you're doing. Chris (Mullins) was the first man to have a horse with me. He had Bold Optimist at the start as well. He has supported me all the way. When I was starting off with three horses, he was with me. So, it's only rewarding that he is the owner of my first Group winner. Long may it last. She's in the Matron Stakes again. We learned how to ride her from how she ran in it last year. She deserves a crack at it again and that would be her main target.