Latest news with #SupremeNovices'Hurdle
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘He's so slick' – Willie Mullins' potential next superstar slashed to joint-fav for Cheltenham after ‘impressive' debut
A POTENTIAL Willie Mullins superstar the trainer has dubbed 'so slick' has been slashed for Cheltenham after just one run. The brilliantly-bred Davy Crockett was an easy winner on his hurdles debut at Galway on Monday. 1 Owner JP McManus, left, and trainer Willie Mullins, right, with Mark Walsh after Davy Crockett won well on his hurdles debut at Galway Credit: Sportsfile Sent off just 1-2 under jockey Mark Walsh, Davy Crockett, who is by Guineas and Derby winner Camelot and out of Mullins' awesome Annie Power, won by two-and-a-half lengths. He extended well when out in the clear but still left plenty of room for improvement in the jumping department. Mullins liked what he saw though - and so did bookies, as they cut him to 14-1 joint-fav from as big as 33s for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Davy Crockett, who is owned by JP McManus and Susan Magnier and a half-brother to dual Grade 1 winner Mystical Power, heads the market for the Festival opener next March with Mullins' Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever. While he could revert to the Flat, Mullins confirmed his more immediate future lies over hurdles. And he set out an early target his team will work back from - possibly with a view to rocking up at Cheltenham next March. The Closutton boss told Racing TV: "For a horse only having his second run on a track, he was very good. "He was so slick with his jumping apart from at the second last. Most read in Horse Racing "Those novices are so fast, he was going faster than the others and he just missed it. "But he was perfect at the last and he looks a real nice prospect with his pedigree. "I want to plan a path to the (Grade 2) Royal Bond in November. "He's not the biggest horse - not a chasing type - but he looks a real hurdler. "He's more a Flat/hurdle type horse and maybe we could go back on the Flat with him. "But the way he jumped there I'd say he'll make a fine hurdler. "A lot of horses in his position would have thrown in the towel after the sticky jump but he didn't." Gold Cup-winning jockey Walsh was just as complimentary. He said: "He was a bit novicey. We were trapping down to the second last and Davy Crockett got a bit unsighted and just galloped into it. "I loved the way he picked up after that and winged the last. Plenty of improvement likely. "He had been keen in his bumper but settled grand until he got a bit lit up in second half of the race. "He'll learn in time, he's not a big horse but there's an engine in there." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘He's so slick' – Willie Mullins' potential next superstar slashed to joint-fav for Cheltenham after ‘impressive' debut
The trainer has already identified his top target CROCKETT ROCKET 'He's so slick' – Willie Mullins' potential next superstar slashed to joint-fav for Cheltenham after 'impressive' debut Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POTENTIAL Willie Mullins superstar the trainer has dubbed 'so slick' has been slashed for Cheltenham after just one run. The brilliantly-bred Davy Crockett was an easy winner on his hurdles debut at Galway on Monday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Bred in the purple, Davy Crockett (Camelot x Annie Power) strikes at short odds in the @Galway_Races Festival opener for for Willie Mullins, Mark Walsh and JP McManus 🥇 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 28, 2025 1 Owner JP McManus, left, and trainer Willie Mullins, right, with Mark Walsh after Davy Crockett won well on his hurdles debut at Galway Credit: Sportsfile Sent off just 1-2 under jockey Mark Walsh, Davy Crockett, who is by Guineas and Derby winner Camelot and out of Mullins' awesome Annie Power, won by two-and-a-half lengths. He extended well when out in the clear but still left plenty of room for improvement in the jumping department. Mullins liked what he saw though - and so did bookies, as they cut him to 14-1 joint-fav from as big as 33s for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Davy Crockett, who is owned by JP McManus and Susan Magnier and a half-brother to dual Grade 1 winner Mystical Power, heads the market for the Festival opener next March with Mullins' Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever. While he could revert to the Flat, Mullins confirmed his more immediate future lies over hurdles. And he set out an early target his team will work back from - possibly with a view to rocking up at Cheltenham next March. The Closutton boss told Racing TV: "For a horse only having his second run on a track, he was very good. "He was so slick with his jumping apart from at the second last. "Those novices are so fast, he was going faster than the others and he just missed it. "But he was perfect at the last and he looks a real nice prospect with his pedigree. "I want to plan a path to the (Grade 2) Royal Bond in November. "He's not the biggest horse - not a chasing type - but he looks a real hurdler. "He's more a Flat/hurdle type horse and maybe we could go back on the Flat with him. "But the way he jumped there I'd say he'll make a fine hurdler. "A lot of horses in his position would have thrown in the towel after the sticky jump but he didn't." Gold Cup-winning jockey Walsh was just as complimentary. He said: "He was a bit novicey. We were trapping down to the second last and Davy Crockett got a bit unsighted and just galloped into it. "I loved the way he picked up after that and winged the last. Plenty of improvement likely. "He had been keen in his bumper but settled grand until he got a bit lit up in second half of the race. "He'll learn in time, he's not a big horse but there's an engine in there." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Davy Crockett emulates half-brother Mystical Power
While there is no shortage of race meetings on a calendar which more than adequately fills each month, it has been a feature of this year that the festivals have held up particularly well in terms of attendances. If the opening day of the Galway festival was a reliable guide, racing is in for another bumper week, as the impressive crowd figure of 18,472 was up almost 1,400 on the same day in 2024. The racing got underway with the Galmont Hotel Novice Hurdle and, two years on from when his half-brother, Mystical Power, won the same race, Davy Crockett made a winning start over hurdles for Willie Mullins, JP McManus, and Mark Walsh. Quite whether he has the scope to emulate his sibling, who won two Grade One novice hurdles and finished runner-up in a Supreme Novices' Hurdle, remains to be seen, but this was a positive follow on to his smooth bumper success. 'I was very happy with how efficient his jumping was, except for the mistake at the second-last,' said Mullins. 'For a horse having his first run over hurdles, I was very pleased with him. "We'll just keep going down the novice hurdle route and hopefully he might make into a Royal Bond horse.' The second odds-on favourite of the evening came in the shape of Constitution River, who was backed from a high of 1-2 to a starting price of 1-5 for the Eventus Irish EBF Maiden. Having run €1.9 million breeze-up purchase Distant Storm to a short head in a Newmarket maiden on his only previous outing, he was entitled to be a strong favourite — and he duly obliged. By remarkable sire Wootton Bassett and out of a full sister to Wonderful Tonight, who won Group 1s over 12 and 14 furlongs, he is a tremendous middle-distance prospect for next season. Said Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong: 'Ryan really liked him at Newmarket and with normal improvement you'd think he would put up a good display. In fairness, he was very green around here, and Wayne (Lordan) said he was just looking at the camera on the inside, but he went to the line with plenty still left in him. He's a colt that has a touch of class and one to look forward going into the second half of the season. He now puts himself into the Futurity mix, with the rest of them.' Jessica Harrington seldom leaves this meeting without some visits to the winner's circle, and that box was ticked early this year as the progressive Jerrari, given a fine ride by Donagh Meyler, took the Iggy Daly Easyfix Handicap Hurdle. Galway native David Loughnane, who trains in Britain, saddled his first winner at the meeting when It'sneverujustone, ridden by Declan McDonogh, got on top late and ultimately won the Clayton Hotel Galway Handicap quite cosily. Brothers Donnacha and Joseph O'Brien dominated the finish to the GRA Chocolates Handicap, and it was the former who came out on top, winning with the Paddy Harnett-trained Kilmeaden. Andy Slattery can't be kept out of the winner's enclosure and Gomez Addams came as no surprise to the trainer when he made a winning debut, under Adam Ryan, in the Monami Construction Bumper. 'We expected it,' admitted Slattery. 'The horse (Gameball) that won the other day in Ballinrobe he has been working with, and we like this lad. He's a big horse that would go better on softer ground, but he has an engine. He's done nothing but improve and impress in every gallop. 'I've only about 10 National Hunt horses but I have quality, good bumper horses. A half-brother of this fella runs on Thursday, called Parnell Street, and he has a good chance too.'
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Family announces death of Irish training great Edward O'Grady
O'Grady trained a whole host of top-class horses over the course of his long and illustrious career and for a long time was the leading Irish trainer at the Cheltenham Festival where he saddled 18 winners, the first being Mr Midland in the 1974 National Hunt Chase. A statement released by his family through Horse Racing Ireland read: 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Edward O'Grady, who passed away peacefully yesterday evening at St James's Hospital (in Dublin), surrounded by his family. 'Edward was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also one of the most respected and successful racehorse trainers of his generation. 'Over the course of an extraordinary career that spanned more than five decades, Edward trained just shy of 1,700 winners under rules. His name became synonymous with Irish National Hunt racing, and he was a formidable force at Cheltenham and across the racing world. 'Beyond the winners and the headlines, Edward was a man of deep intelligence, sharp wit, and remarkable warmth. He had friends on every continent, a story for every occasion, and a lifelong passion for the sport, the hunting field and everything equestrian. 'Funeral details will be announced in due course.' Perhaps the most talented horse to pass through O'Grady's hands was Golden Cygnet, a brilliant winner of the 1978 Supreme Novices' Hurdle but fatally injured in the Scottish Champion Hurdle the following month. More recent Festival winners for O'Grady include Pizarro, who landed the 2002 Champion Bumper in the hands of top Flat jockey Jamie Spencer, and the 2003 Supreme scorer Back In Front. Away from Cheltenham, O'Grady saddled Sound Man to win successive runnings of the Tingle Creek at Sandown in 1995 and 1996, while his final Grade One winner was Cash And Go in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival in 2011. Other top-class horses he trained include 2002 Irish Champion Hurdle winner Ned Kelly and his half-brother Nick Dundee, who both carried the colours of Coolmore supremo John Magnier. O'Grady trained for more than 50 years from his base in County Tipperary, taking over at Killeens after the death of his father, Willie – a former dual Irish champion jockey and later trainer – in January 1972. His final winner came via Our Soldier in a Bellewstown handicap hurdle at the start of July, while his last runner, Sovereign Banter, finished unplaced in a Cork sprint on Friday night.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Family announces death of Irish training great Edward O'Grady
O'Grady trained a whole host of top-class horses over the course of his long and illustrious career and for a long time was the leading Irish trainer at the Cheltenham Festival where he saddled 18 winners, the first being Mr Midland in the 1974 National Hunt Chase. A statement released by his family through Horse Racing Ireland read: 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Edward O'Grady, who passed away peacefully yesterday evening at St James's Hospital (in Dublin), surrounded by his family. 'Edward was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also one of the most respected and successful racehorse trainers of his generation. 'Over the course of an extraordinary career that spanned more than five decades, Edward trained just shy of 1,700 winners under rules. His name became synonymous with Irish National Hunt racing, and he was a formidable force at Cheltenham and across the racing world. 'Beyond the winners and the headlines, Edward was a man of deep intelligence, sharp wit, and remarkable warmth. He had friends on every continent, a story for every occasion, and a lifelong passion for the sport, the hunting field and everything equestrian. 'Funeral details will be announced in due course.' Perhaps the most talented horse to pass through O'Grady's hands was Golden Cygnet, a brilliant winner of the 1978 Supreme Novices' Hurdle but fatally injured in the Scottish Champion Hurdle the following month. More recent Festival winners for O'Grady include Pizarro, who landed the 2002 Champion Bumper in the hands of top Flat jockey Jamie Spencer, and the 2003 Supreme scorer Back In Front. Away from Cheltenham, O'Grady saddled Sound Man to win successive runnings of the Tingle Creek at Sandown in 1995 and 1996, while his final Grade One winner was Cash And Go in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival in 2011. Other top-class horses he trained include 2002 Irish Champion Hurdle winner Ned Kelly and his half-brother Nick Dundee, who both carried the colours of Coolmore supremo John Magnier. O'Grady trained for more than 50 years from his base in County Tipperary, taking over at Killeens after the death of his father, Willie – a former dual Irish champion jockey and later trainer – in January 1972. His final winner came via Our Soldier in a Bellewstown handicap hurdle at the start of July, while his last runner, Sovereign Banter, finished unplaced in a Cork sprint on Friday night.
