Latest news with #SeamieHeffernan
Irish Daily Mirror
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
In pics - Glamorous race-goers flood Ballybrit for Day Two of the Galway Races
There was a huge buzz around Ballybrit on Tuesday as thousands of punters descended on the world-famous racecourse for Day Two of the 2025 Galway Races. It proved to be another thrilling day of racing, fashion, and entertainment and race-goers certainly dressed to impress for the occasion, with men and women alike putting their best foot forward in terms of style. The event saw an array of unique headpieces, including towering constructions reminiscent of Jane Austen's era, inventive recycled hats and incredible designs enjoyed by keen racing aficionados. Tuesday's racing highlights included Seamie Heffernan racing home on Dunum to win the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap, featuring a generous prize pool of €120,000, with the 12-1 winner making it three career wins at the Ballybrit festival. The Galway Races runs from Monday, July 28 to Sunday, August 3 with Ladies' Day on Thursday, July 31 - combining top-tier racing, fashionable outfits, live music, DJs, and outstanding hospitality Check out our picture gallery below to get a taste of the action A general view of the crowd at Ballybrit on Day Two of the Galway Festival (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) 1 of 21 A general view of the runners and riders in the The Latin Quarter Beginners Steeplechase (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) 2 of 21 Aoife Shefflin from Kilkenny enjoying Day Two of the Galway Races (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) 3 of 21 Aoibheann, Elicia and Mandy Dalton from Fethard at Day Two of the Galway Races (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) 4 of 21 Aoife Byrne from Carlow enjoying Day Two of the Galway Festival (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) 5 of 21
Irish Examiner
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Course specialist Dunum digs deep to land spoils at Galway
The Colm Quinn BMW Premier Handicap was the highlight on another busy evening in Galway, and it took all of Seamie Heffernan and Dunum's experience to land the €120,000 feature. Leading all the way is very much the modus operandi for the horse, trained in Banbridge by Natalia Lupini, and Heffernan played to his mount's strengths. Bear Profit, ridden by Nicola Burns, who is very much at the other end of a promising career in the saddle, emerged as a serious threat in the straight but try as the pair did, they could find no way by the doughty leader. The sea air wafting across Salthill seems to bring the winner alive and for the seven-year-old winner it was a third victory at the meeting — and there's a good chance he is not yet finished for the week. At this unique festival, many horses take their chance more than once, and it has a habit of accommodating multiple winners. If this fellow comes out of this race well, he could reappear in the Ahanoora here on Sunday, a race he finished third in last year and won in 2023. 'He comes to life at this track, and he had a good jockey, who gave him a peach of a ride — we couldn't have asked for better,' said a delighted Lupini. 'He usually jumps smart (from the stalls) and Seamie said he wasn't going to give away his position, and it worked. 'The horse enjoyed himself on the track. He loves the downhill into the dip, and the uphill finish, and he battled well to the line. It's been great. He's a Galway specialist.' While it may have been a long final furlong for supporters of the winner, the veteran rider had no concerns. 'I was never in doubt,' said veteran jockey Heffernan. 'I could see the other horse arriving late but I knew the line was coming quickly. He didn't curl up under pressure. 'It's brilliant to get a nice pot, and I'm still loving the game. I rode at Tramore, Killarney and all those places. Irish jockeys have to hold their own, they ride tight and don't give an inch away. It's not a case of 'before you' but I'm still enjoying it — and I'm getting support.' A little later on the card, Collecting Coin had little trouble completing his 3-2-1 sequence when favourite for the Caulfield Industrial Irish EBF Maiden. Jessica Harrington's horse, who was gelded since his last run, looked a touch more straightforward this time than when third on debut and runner-up second time, and he got the job done in good style. While he was a little keen early, he was able to get a good position behind the leaders, and when Shane Foley switched him out to make his move coming off the final bend, he went away to win quite readily. Kate Harrington said: 'He misbehaved a bit in Cork and on the Curragh and had a little snip since then. He behaved impeccably today and probably did what he was supposed to do. He's a lovely horse going forward and we'll probably pick out a winners-of-one and then plot our way through the season. He's ground versatile. 'Shane said his ability got him home in front. He fell out of stalls, fell over the roadway, and he's still green, but his ability got him through and hopefully he's going to go on improving.'
South Wales Guardian
21-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Get It makes all for Wokingham win
An all-the-way winner of the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood last year, George Baker's seven-year-old arrived at the Royal meeting having broken the track record from the front over course and distance last month. Sent off at 28-1 in the hands Seamie Heffernan, he was away quickly leading the majority of the field up the centre of the track and although William Haggas' 3-1 market leader More Thunder was weaving his way through the field to challenge late on, Get It had enough up his sleeve to deliver a head verdict.
Glasgow Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Get It makes all for Wokingham win
An all-the-way winner of the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood last year, George Baker's seven-year-old arrived at the Royal meeting having broken the track record from the front over course and distance last month. Sent off at 28-1 in the hands Seamie Heffernan, he was away quickly leading the majority of the field up the centre of the track and although William Haggas' 3-1 market leader More Thunder was weaving his way through the field to challenge late on, Get It had enough up his sleeve to deliver a head verdict.
Rhyl Journal
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Vera's Secret graduates to Group Three glory at Leopardstown
The six-year-old, trained by John Feane and ridden by Seamie Heffernan, was making her seasonal bow having last been seen coming home fifth in the Listed Concorde Stakes at Tipperary in October. She was an 11-2 chance to hit her stride instantly when stepping up to Group Three level, and quickly took the lead to make all of the running. It was a position she did not surrender as the race developed and in fact she only pulled further clear, eventually prevailing by four lengths from Gavin Cromwell's Fiery Lucy. 'She was good last year and hasn't had a lot of racing,' said the winning trainer. 'She is a big, strong six-year-old now, a quality filly and she proved it there today. 'She goes well fresh and is a bit more relaxed this year, so we kept it simple today. 'Nathan Crosse was to ride her. He's done a lot of work with her this year but he had to go to Germany today and Seamie was an able substitute. 'She's entered in the Lanwades Stud Stakes and later on in the year will probably come back here for the Matron Stakes, but that is a long way off. She doesn't take too much running. 'She will come on for that run today. She is over 600 kilos and takes plenty of work at home. She's a tough bit of stuff.'
