Jack Kennedy records first win since injury break
'It's brilliant — and I didn't have to wait too long, so it's great,' was Kennedy's reaction to his first success since March 8. 'He's a very slick jumper and I got a nice feel from him. He was borderline keen early, but relaxed and won well. He put it to bed easily, but was a bit green in front. He's a nice horse, with more to come.'
Local Lad Conor Stone-Walsh enjoyed a 17-1 double, completed when Stay Gold, trained by another Wexford man Colm Murphy, had to dig deep to get the better of Coumenoole by a neck and justify even-money favouritism in the Thomas Donovan Construction Maiden Hurdle.
The double had been initiated when Menas Miracle (8-1), trained by the rider's uncle Benny Walsh, landed a division of the (0-100) Clearwater Construction Handicap Hurdle at the expense of Onebrightbluerose, who was later disqualified as his rider Darragh O'Keeffe weighed in 1.5lb light.
Matching Stone-Walsh's double was Brian Hayes who delivered on well-backed joint-favourite Highland Earl, for Liam Cusack, in the first division of the (0-100) Clearwater Construction Handicap Hurdle before the Willie Mullins-trained Fine Margin mastered two fellow chase debutants, Hms Seahorse and Al Gasparo in the MSK Silversand Beginners Chase.
Hayes failed to complete a treble on uneasy odds-on favourite May Call You Back, bidding to add to a victory at Tipperary on Tuesday, in the Molloy Metal Recycling Handicap Chase, finishing fourth to the Mick Winters-trained Crowsatedappletart (Darragh O'Keeffe), who had finished third to the favourite on Tuesday.
The featured Poolcourt Enginneering Handicap Chase went to Clarens, ridden for John Flavin by Danny Gilligan to a convincing win over Mr Saxobeat.
'He's electric to jump and the fences in Tramore and here suit him,' said Flavin, 'I told Danny to let him roll along. And the horse winged fences, outjumping them the whole way.'
In Bellewstown, apprentice Nicola Burns brought the Ger Lyons-trained Empty Wallet (7-1) from last to first to take the Irish EBF Median Sires Series 2-Y-0 Maiden, in which stable-companion Carwyn was an eye-catching third.
Lyons said: 'Experience in important around here and I told Nicola to ride the horse, not the track. This fellow is a nursery-type horse. And it's always a great thrill to have a winner for Seán (Jones) – he's been with me forever.'
Apprentice Keithen Kennedy doubled-up, at odds of 135-1, on Mark Fahey's Daonethatgotaway in the Smiths Of Drogheda Ford Classic Handicap and the once-raced, Jessica Harrington-trained Sea Coral, who outpointed favourite Jannah Star in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
And Abiding Star showed blistering early pace and held on grimly under Leigh Roche to foil fast-finishing favourite Viamonte in the five-furlong maiden.
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Irish Independent
11-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Young Kerry jockey celebrates epic Dingle Derby win – ‘It was class'
The north Kerry youngster is one of the best up-and-coming riders in the horse-and-pony racing scene. The precocious 14-year-old certainly stamped his name on the sport by winning a race previously won by greats like Jack Kennedy, Paul Townend and Dylan Browne McMonagle. The son of Katie and Joe Roberts received a rapturous reception from the crowd after he crossed the line as the heavy mist rolled in from Dingle Bay. The 2024 Champion Pony Jockey kept his horse close to the front in a frenetically run race. But it was Billy and Here We Go Again that eventually emerged from the fog to win. 'At the start, he [Here We Go Again] wouldn't travel with me but after I got him going he was half running away with me everywhere. We went at slower fractions than last year, and he just flew home. There was no horse going to beat him,' Billy told The Kerryman. 'It was a class feeling. I couldn't believe it when crossing the line. It's the Cheltenham of horse-and-pony racing. I thought I was after going a lap too early, but thank God I didn't,' he added. Billy rides out every weekend at the Athea yard of trainer Eoin McCarthy – a major help in Billy's career. Gary Noonan is another from the yard that Billy looks up to, while his idol is fellow Kerry man and ace jockey Jack Kennedy. 'They know their way around horses, that's for sure. They help me and inspire me to keep going,' Billy said. Billy rode a four timer at Ballybunion in June and is on six winners for the season. He says he will continue to work hard and take the opportunities that come his way. In terms of future ambitions, he wouldn't mind taking on some of the sport's biggest meetings. 'People like Jackie Mulvihill and John Long got me started last year with my first winner. I'm just delighted with the start I got. I suppose I wouldn't mind winning the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle someday, or something along those lines,' he said. For Billy's family, watching the Dingle action unfold was as much exciting as it was nervous. They were overjoyed for Billy as it rewards his hard work and dedication. Billy started out with riding lessons from Laura Collins in Ballinclogher West aged nine. The link with horse-and-pony racing comes from his father's side of the family – a Wexford native – whose cousin took part in the sport. 'We went to one race meeting to watch it and that was it. Billy just loved it. Even though he didn't start horse riding until he was about nine, that didn't stop him from riding the rocking horse around the house, or any armchair and couch he could find. He just loves it,' said Katie. 'We celebrated in Dingle on Sunday night in Paul Geaney's Bar and Barr Na Sraide because they both sponsored the cup. We had a great time. Billy's taking the day off today,' she said.
Irish Times
30-07-2025
- Irish Times
Danny Gilligan wins second Galway Plate in three years as Western Fold powers to Ballybrit glory
Local jockey Danny Gilligan was once again the toast of Ballybrit on Wednesday evening after landing a second Tote Galway Plate on Western Fold. The 19-year-old rider from near Athenry famously won the €270,000 summer steeplechase feature when making all the running on Ash Tree Meadow in 2023. Runner-up on Duffle Coast last year, Gilligan once again struck Plate gold on the rapidly progressive Gordon Elliott trained horse. Only two of his 21 rivals carried more weight than the six-year-old but having been prominent throughout, Western Fold powered up the final hill to beat the luckless Jesse Evans by over four lengths. It was the biggest weight carried by a Plate winner since Ansar 20 years ago. READ MORE Twice a runner-up in the Galway Hurdle, Jesse Evans faded in the closing stages and once again had to settle for second spot in a Ballybrit highlight. The 11/1 winner supplied Elliott with a fifth Plate, and he was also responsible for the third-placed Shecouldbeanything. If it was a fairytale outcome for Gilligan, there was frustration for Elliott's No. 1 jockey Jack Kennedy, who opted to ride Three Card Brag only to all but lose his chance at the start. After one false start, the field was let go the second time around and both Three Card Brag and Zenta were badly left behind the others. 'The start was a joke,' said Kennedy, who momentarily looked to get Three Card Brag into contention coming into the dip only for the horse to fade to eighth. Zenta was pulled up. The stewards held an inquiry into the start, with audio recordings heard but no action was taken. The fancied Anyway unseated Derek O'Connor on the first circuit while the 6/1 favourite Nurburgring blundered at the first fence and never figured before being pulled up. Jockey Danny Gilligan with the Galway Plate after his win on Western Fold. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho 'I really can't believe it. I thought when I won it two years ago that would be me,' said Gilligan, son of trainer Paul Gilligan, whose own hope Buddy One was sixth under the winner's brother, Jack. 'I've been on a bit of a dry spell at the minute but days like this are what we dream of.' It's been a rare drought in Gilligan's meteoric career that has also seen him secure three Cheltenham Festival victories. Western Fold was completing a hat-trick and defined a hefty 10lb hike for winning Ballinrobe's Mayo National in May under Gilligan. The rider won the same race in 2023 prior to landing the Plate. Elliott was worried the penalty from that might have ruined Western Fold's chance, but said: 'Danny got away at the start and the horse jumped like a buck, I think he just missed one into the dip. Everything went right and it was poetry in motion.' Separately, Hipop De Loire is as low as 3/1 favourite for York's Ebor Handicap after warming up for the historic flat handicap with success in a maiden hurdle. The odds-on favourite made most to win easily and if it was an unconventional Ebor prep, Willie Mullins 's capacity for thinking outside the box was further underlined. Formerly trained in Poland, and with a German Listed success in 2022 for his Polish ownership, he was an unorthodox recruit to the champion jumps trainer. 'The owners emailed me a year-and-a-half ago and I just emailed back. Next thing these horses arrived,' said Mullins. Hipop De Loire was beaten at last year's festival and subsequently was an unlucky fifth in the Ebor, something he's on track to try to make up for on the Knavesmire. Hopes that Paddy Smullen, son of the late champion jockey Pat Smullen, could secure an emotional success in the amateur maiden contest aboard the favourite Mont St Michel were dashed as the 2/1 favourite finished third to Edelak, giving jockey Georgie Benson a first Galway festival winner on just her second spin Bal Kauto got into the handicap hurdle as first reserve and made the most of his opportunity under trainer/jockey Derek Queally. 'The 'Shark' (John Hanlon) rang me this morning (about his non-runner) and I said 'Thank God',' Queally said. 'We could have been going to Roscommon on Tuesday!' Jockey Ronan Whelan got a 10-day suspension for careless riding after winning the final race on Wednesday's Galway card aboard Teed Up. It was a sixth course win for Emmet Mullins' charge who did well to stand up after an incident coming out of the dip. Mullins described his horse as 'soldier' and commented: 'I thought the worst watching it and thought he was very lucky just to be in one piece coming away from the incident.' The Galway Plate day attendance of 15,461 was down from last year's corresponding figure of 16,023.
The Irish Sun
29-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Bookies avoid back-to-back bashings at Galway Races as ‘dream winner' helps swing momentum & top trainer ‘delighted'
BOOKIES breathed a sigh of relief on day two of the Galway Festival — after taking a bashing on day one. Brian O'Keeffe, spokesperson for 7 King Of Kingsfield ridden by Jack Kennedy won the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase Credit: PA 7 Racegoer Savannah Bergin stepped out in style for Day 2 Credit: Sportsfile 'Sticktotheplan was a dream winner in the opener at 22/1 and then Dunum winning really swung momentum our way as we look to day three.' In the big Under the guidance of 53-year-old jockey Seamie Heffernan, the Natalia Lupini trained seven-year-old was recording its third career victory at Ballybrit. Lupini said afterwards: 'He did well today and Seamie is a great asset for a small yard like ours. READ MORE IN HORSE RACING "Having a jockey of his calibre is a massive help.' Earlier on in the day, King Of Kingsfield ridden by Jack Kennedy won the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase at 7/2, fending off 6/4 favourite My Great Mate. Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said he was 'delighted' with the win and Kennedy 'gave him a beautiful ride'. Elliott added: 'The plan was to sit second or third, just keep it simple. Most read in Horse Racing "To have a lead, there wasn't much pace. Just go as steady as you could in front. "But I thought he gave him a beautiful ride. The horse was a bit careful early. Top trainers, jockeys and truckloads of Guinness arrive at Ballybrit as Galway Races 2025 changes revealed 'Look, when you've used them good lads like Paul and Jack and the rest of them, they are great lads, they know exactly what they're doing.' Punters filled the The Conquerors' keyboard player Tony Maher said the band is delighted to be back at He said: 'With it being one of the best racing festivals in the country, we are really enjoying playing and keeping the crowd dancing. 'SO SPECIAL' "And celebrating everything that makes the Galway Races so special.' Punters were again in good spirits today with the odd few still nursing a hangover from the previous day. A large group from Kilreekill, Galway were celebrating a big birthday. Sylvia Lowry said: 'We only live an hour outside of Galway, so we come here for one day every year. 'WE LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE' "It's usually my husband's birthday during race week. So he's 50 this year. 'We love the atmosphere and we 100 per cent bet every race. 'We might not be big bettors, but we're probably big losers.' Belclare locals Tommy O'Brien, Bernie O'Brien and Gerard O'Brien rolled into the racecourse straight from Canavan's ANNUAL TRADITION Tommy said: 'We come to Galway every year, every Tuesday evening. "We will have a bet on every race and hope for the best. 'Sometimes it's the name of the horse or something will catch your eye in the programme. "It's all about the favourite in Galway, but then again anything can win in Galway. MAIN PRIORITY 'The atmosphere is brilliant so far.' Racing fanatics Barbara Mangan and her sister Dolores turned heads in their stunning outfits. Galwegian Barbara said: 'We have been coming here for the last 15 or 20 years. We take a 'sister day' because she lives in 'We don't like to go for the favourites really because you kind of have to put big 'GOOD CROWD' 'And then we might throw a few quid on a 50/1. Now we've been lucky a few years, but it's just the fun. It's all about the fun.' Dolores chuckled: 'I like to go up and look the horses in the eyes. Honestly, I've been quite lucky with that.' Eimear Kelly from She said: 'It's a good crowd here. We have got three different tips for today. RAISING THE STYLE STAKES "I pick my horses based on what everyone else tells me. Because if I pick them, they will lose.' In Galway city, racegoers and fashion fans raised the style stakes at the Racing for Rosabel evening in aid of Rosabel's Rooms, a child loss project in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation, at the Connacht Hotel. Kiera Williams scooped Best Dressed Lady and Colin Quigley bagged the Best Dressed Man prize. Organiser Caroline Downey said: 'The style was better than ever, and a huge thanks to all our sponsors and supporters. 'ONE OF THE BEST' "It's always a fantastic day, but today has to be one of the best.' All eyes today will be on the Galway Plate with a prize pot of €270,000. Former Aidan said: 'You do really need a horse that likes the hustle and bustle because they are rough enough races and that can also handle the track. 'BIG PLUS' 'A horse that's been to the meeting before is a big plus. Or has a run at a track similar like Cheltenham. "A horse with experience is a big help. 'If they have ran well at this meeting before, that's a big plus. 'That's what I'm looking for because the Galway Plate is not an easy race.' NEXT YEAR HOPES He added: 'Amirite, Henry De Bromhead's, was a little bit disappointing in this race last year but it is coming here after winning in Kilbeggan last time out. 'He's been here but didn't run as well. 'At the same time he knows what's in store this year and hopefully he can run very well again.' MY VIEW I WOKE up feeling surprisingly fresh after yesterday's antics and raring to go for another day of racing at Ballybrit. Punters were in good form and quickly cured any sore heads. The roar of the crowd as King Of Kingsfield thundered down the final straight was absolutely deafening. I popped into the dedicated zone Beauty Paddock in collaboration with Vision Ireland for a touch-up. Barbara Coakley from Vision Ireland Ballinasloe told me: 'We've over 300 shops nationwide and this is our first time here at the races with a pop-up. And it's so successful. 'We have wonderful hats, fascinators, shawls for when it gets a bit colder in the evening, nice flat shoes if the feet are killing you. So it's going really well.' Highlight of the day was having a chat with Ireland's racecourse commentator Jerry Hannon who had plenty of stories to tell me. As for my luck on bets, that's another story! 7 There were multiple best dressed competitions Credit: Sportsfile 7 Racegoers were kept entertained with music and sights throughout the day Credit: Sportsfile 7 Jockey James Anthony 'Seamie' Heffernan took home the Colm Quinn Bmw Mile Handicap with beloved horse Dunum Credit: PA 7 Delighted punters were in good spirits after an exciting first day Credit: Inpho 7 Heffernan celebrated his huge win alongside trainer Natalia Lupini Credit: PA
