Quinn elated over horse’s race into record books

EX-IRISH striker Niall Quinn is used to last-gasp winners. But the former Arsenal, Man City and Sunderland player admitted to being stunned by the feat of a nine-year-old history-making horse yesterday.

Halmahera, part-owned by Quinn, raced into the history books of all-time greats by becoming the first horse to win the Portland Handicap three times. He was running at odds of 11-1. The race is a feature event on the opening day of the Doncaster St Leger festival.

The winner came with a terrific late burst to get up in the dying strides and land the tote sport-sponsored sprint by a head from Texas Gold.

Quinn and wife Gillian are among the part-owners of the horse.

An elated Quinn said: "We thought it was impossible for him to win again, but (trainer) Kevin Ryan has aimed him at it all year.

"We were very lucky to get him three or four years ago and he has just gone from strength to strength. I used to get excited playing football but I just exploded when he won."

Halmahera is the first nine-year-old winner of the Portland since Dawn's Delight in 1987.

Merlins Dancer, one of three 7-1 co-favourites, had led the field for most of the race. However, jockey Neil Callan got an unbelievable run out of Halmahera and he collared William Muir's charge in the shadow of the post

Halmahera's time of one minute 5.64 seconds was the fastest electronically recorded time for the big handicap over five furlongs and 140 yards.

Callan said: "He's a different horse here he loves this place."

An emotional Kevin Ryan said: "He's unbelievable."