Jetson stuns at Punchestown finish line

Very few events can cause more than 16,000 people to fall silent, but when a crowd has come to the races to acclaim a queen, only to watch her carried out on her shield, a shocked hush is the only appropriate response.

That’s exactly what Davy Russell and Jetson heard as they passed the finish line in the Ladbrokes.com World Hurdle ahead of Quevega, but the throngs had recovered their composure by the time Russell and the winner returned to the winners’ enclosure and, watched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, they roared their full-throated acclaim.

It was a poignant success for trainer Jessica Harrington, whose late husband Johnny had suggested running Jetson in the race before he passed away last month.

The afternoon was punctuated with bittersweet moments, as Harrington was also responsible for the winner of the opening handicap hurdle, which commemorated the late broadcaster Colm Murray.

“Colm was a terrific person and he fought the battle, he really did. He would have loved a big handicap like that,” she said of the RTÉ star.

Eamon Coghlan is more used to running on two legs rather than the four-legged variety, although he did make a valiant attempt to learn to ride for a charity race. Tutored by Tucker Geraghty, father of leading jockey Barry, who won the day’s other Grade 1 race, the former 5000m world champion had to abandon the adventure, but his relationship with the Geraghty family has led to an interest in racing.

Now the legendary athlete is helping to raise funds for injured jockeys and was at Punchestown to launch the jog for jockeys fundraising 5k and 10k runs at the Curragh on August 24.