Curragh Sat, 23rd Sep, 2023  Pipsy It was lovely and it was no more than you'd expect after seeing King Cuan, the first day in Cork and definitely the last day in Naas. He impressed me both times. This filly has always been a filly we like and definitely a maiden winner. I said if she handles the ground she wins and, if she doesn't, we'll go to Dundalk, no problems. Colin was adamant she'd handle the ground and that she'll handle Dundalk so we'll go for the stakes race up there, the (Group 3) Mercury Stakes, and then we'll put her away. It was her first day away at Cork, Paddy (Twomey's) are always tuned to the minute and there was no third. I said 'we've walked into one'. I felt a bit sorry for her then as she did everything right on her own that day. I said we'd see the truth of the race in Naas and I don't think you could be any more impressed with the winner as he was beat, found a gear and took off again. I thought then 'he's alright and we definitely walked into one'. We knew we had natural improvement and she'd win a good maiden, but I was just worried about the ground.

Punchestown Wed, 13th Sep, 2023  Rising Sign She’s very much a work in progress and can be a bit buzzy. We knew she had that in her, but it wasn’t all about today. We’ll discuss it with Barry (Mahon, Juddmonte racing manager) and see how she comes out of it, but there will be no rush back and you might not see her until a trial next year. All our fillies are ready like that. They have done their work and I just want to see them on the track. If they don’t win first time, they’ll win second time and I put them away. You would like what you’ve seen there. Like a lot of Irish maidens you don’t know what you’ve beaten, but she was trained to enjoy the experience and it was all about tomorrow. She quickened away and I love how she ran from the winning post to the hill, that was the most impressive part I thought.

Punchestown Wed, 13th Sep, 2023  Perfect Poise We thought she would have won her maiden no problem and the first bit of light at the end of the tunnel was Navan where we got chinned. I thought that was a nice workmanlike performance. She’s hard on herself and you can see a bit of blood in her mouth. She carries her head low going down to the start and kicks herself in the jaw. Hopefully there is another day of two in her as that is the first winner we’ve had for Mrs Patino for about a year. I’m delighted as she’s a very loyal owner.

Punchestown Wed, 13th Sep, 2023  Rising Sign She’s very much a work in progress and can be a bit buzzy. We knew she had that in her but it wasn’t all about today. We’ll discuss it with Barry (Mahon) and see how she comes out of it but there will be no rush back and you might not see her until a trial next year. All our fillies are ready like that. They have done their work and I just want to see them on the track. If they don’t win first time, they’ll win second time and I put them away. You would like what you’ve seen there. Like a lot of Irish maidens you don’t know what you’ve beaten but she was trained to enjoy the experience and it was all about tomorrow. She quickened away and I love how she ran from the winning post to the hill, that was the most impressive part I thought.

Cork Wed, 6th Sep, 2023  Ragga Bomb Colin was delighted, but he is a weak horse so this was a bonus. We'll go back to the drawing boards at home now, but I'd say that could be it (for the year) as he will strengthen up an awful lot for next year. This ground helped but we were worried weakness would get the better of him. He won well there and seven (furlongs) is his trip, but it is all about next year with him. We have always liked him and he was bought as a foal from (trainer) Clive Cox who is a good friend of Ger's and that's a good omen.

Bellewstown Tue, 29th Aug, 2023  Sweetest Rose We're delighted to get another win for Annette O'Callaghan,. The secret with her is to go around bends and good ground. She just barely gets that seven and ground is the key. If we got good ground in Listowel that would be another ideal track for her, as she won there before. The owners would love to get black-type so we'll do our best for them.