Latest news with #UnbreakableDuke
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Trainer Ger Lyons left 'gobsmacked' by Howd'yadoit win
Howd'yadoit left trainer Ger Lyons "gobsmacked" as jockey Colin Keane delivered a masterclass to snatch the lucrative Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas. Keane, completing a hat-trick for the day, clinched victory on the 13-2 shot – who had only recently claimed his maiden win at Down Royal last month – pipping Unbreakable Duke by the slimmest of margins right at the finish. However, following a stewards' inquiry into interference, Unbreakable Duke was relegated to third place, with Summer Is Tomorrow bumped up to the runner-up spot. The British contender Jel Pepper (6-4 favourite) finished in fourth for the duo Paul and Oliver Cole, while Joseph O'Brien's Prix Robert Papin victor Green Sense was pulled out due to unsuitable ground conditions. Lyons, who previously won this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 alongside Keane, confessed: "I'm gobsmacked, as I didn't think he'd be good enough. "What an honest horse, he's been doing it well. We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden. "We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd win." He added: "I'm delighted as Sean's (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it's great. "Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy."
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Howd'yadoit proves a pleasant surprise for Lyons in Naas feature
Completing a treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13-2 chance – who had shed his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking at Down Royal last month – to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose. Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards' inquiry into interference. British raider Jel Pepper (6-4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O'Brien due to unsuitable ground. Lyons – who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 – admitted: 'I'm gobsmacked, as I didn't think he'd be good enough. 'What an honest horse, he's been doing it well. We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden. 'We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd win.' He added: 'I'm delighted as Sean's (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it's great. 'Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.'
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Ger Lyons left ‘gobsmacked' as Howd'yadoit claims Naas €110k prize under Colin Keane
Completing a 38/1 treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13/2 chance to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose to claim the €110,000 first prize. Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards' inquiry into interference. English raider Jel Pepper (6/4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O'Brien due to unsuitable ground. Lyons, who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021, admitted: 'I'm gobsmacked, as I didn't think he'd be good enough. 'What an honest horse, he's been doing it well. We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden. 'We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd win.' He added: 'I'm delighted as Sean's (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it's great. Seán has been with me from day one.' Bonus Time kicked of the Keane hat-trick by making all to land the opening Ironxcell For Energy Race over an extended five furlongs. The 2/5 hotpot was sent straight to the head of the field with Zuheila racing keenly in behind. Keane did not have to ask his mount too many questions as the Paddy Twomey-trained filly ran out a half-length winner from Kodilicious. The second leg of the jockey's treble came aboard Michael O'Callaghan-trained Noli Timere which justified 11/4 favouritism by three lengths in the fillies' maiden over a mile. Down in Cork, Phillip Enright was the jockey form as he completed a double, which was initiated by the victory of Love At Sea (5/2) in the opening Mallow Mares Maiden Hurdle. Second at Ballinrobe on her most recent start, the Eddie Power-trained seven-year-old attempted to make all but was headed at the third last by 11/8 favourite Kabylia, which was travelling strongly in the hands of Conor Stone-Walsh. Not fluent over the last, the market leader failed to kick on and was headed by the rallying Love At Sea with Enright at his strongest in the last half-furlong to get Power's charge up by a half-length. The Kerry rider went on to complete his brace an hour later aboard The Border Boy (17/2) in the second division of the two-mile, one-furlong handicap hurdle. The Border Boy jumped into a narrow lead at the third last and Seán Aherne's charge increased his advantage heading to the last, before galloping clear and prevailing by two and three-quarters of a length from runner-up Bannow Blaze. The featured Follow Us On Twitter Hurdle turned into a match after the defection of The Big Doyen. Alan O'Sullivan attempted to make all on Mozzies Sister but the pair were joined by the Andy Slattery-trained Smooth Tom approaching the last and despite a far from fluent jump, the 4/5 favourite went on under Cian Quirke to score by a length-and-a-half.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Howd'yadoit proves a pleasant surprise for Lyons in Naas feature
Completing a treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13-2 chance – who had shed his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking at Down Royal last month – to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose. Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards' inquiry into interference. British raider Jel Pepper (6-4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O'Brien due to unsuitable ground. Lyons – who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 – admitted: 'I'm gobsmacked, as I didn't think he'd be good enough. 'What an honest horse, he's been doing it well. We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden. 'We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd win.' He added: 'I'm delighted as Sean's (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it's great. 'Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.'
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Howd'yadoit proves a pleasant surprise for Lyons in Naas feature
Howd'yadoit left Ger Lyons 'gobsmacked', as Colin Keane timed it to perfection in landing the richly-endowed Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas. Completing a treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13-2 chance – who had shed his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking at Down Royal last month – to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose. Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards' inquiry into interference. British raider Jel Pepper (6-4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O'Brien due to unsuitable ground. Lyons – who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 – admitted: 'I'm gobsmacked, as I didn't think he'd be good enough. 'What an honest horse, he's been doing it well. We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden. 'We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd win.' He added: 'I'm delighted as Sean's (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it's great. 'Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.'
