Superb double gives O’Brien a share of apprentice title
O’Brien, who rode a double at Dundalk on Wednesday, won both two-year-old maidens on the card for his father Aidan, on board Empowering and Regent Street, which meant that the three lads went to the start for the final event of the season, the Horse Racing Re To Dundalk On March 25th 2011, knowing that a win would clinch the title.
And, in a dramatic climax to the season, reigning champion Gary Carroll, on board Dark Prospect, got the better of Moyenne Corniche and Bravely Fought inside the final furlong and looked set to clinch the title outright, only to be nailed in the last few strides by the fast-finishing Denny Crane, trained by Eddie Lynam and ridden by Wayne Lordan, which overcame traffic problems throughout the last two furlongs before being switched late to grab glory and deny Carroll the crown outright
It was probably a fitting outcome after such a long and entertaining three-way battle for the title between three young men who should be proud of their achievements
The whole evening built to a remarkable climax, sparked by Empowering’s win in the two-year-old fillies maiden
After Narjawa bounced out of the stalls in front, Empowering soon went on. O’Brien dictated the pace and the race developed into a sprint over the last two furlongs, with Empowering always in command as her nearest pursuer, odds-on favourite Narjawa, was unable to get on terms approaching the furlong-marker.
Empowering, a good second to Kirinda over seven furlongs here last week, was well-suited by the step-up to a mile, as Aidan O’Brien later suggested, “She’s a nice filly. She progressed nicely from her first run to her second and should stay middle distances next tear.”
The double was completed when 2/5 favourite Regent Street, under maximum pressure from O’Brien through the last furlong and a half, stayed on doggedly to get the better of Missy O’Gwaun and then hold Watch The Birdie by a length, before surviving a Stewards Enquiry.
Back from his travels to Japan and Hong Kong, where he rode in an International Jockeys Challenge at the weekend, Johnny Murtagh was back in the winner’s enclosure on board Sports Casual (backed from 13/2 to 9/2 favourite) after the first division of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Chanpionship Handicap.
Sports Casual, trained in Turloughmore, County Galway by Yvonne Dunleavy, was earning her reward after two near misses on the track and won readily by two lengths from Bricks And Porter. The winning trainer said: “She deserved that after good recent runs. She deserves a few months off now and she’ll be back here next year.”
Apprentice Shane Foley has enjoyed a successful run since returning after injury and, on a track he rides particularly well, struck again when pouncing late on Adrian McGuinness-trained 14/1 shot Dash Back in the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap.
A bit unlucky here last time, Dash Back collared Tornadodancer well inside the final furlong, to the delight of trainer McGuinness, who explained: “It’s great to win with a mare that nearly died back in June. She had a terrible virus and was within 24 hours of being put down. She was, literally, skin and bone. But they did a great job with her in the Veterinary College. She’s a nice mare and, after this, is back on track. Hopefully, she might be capable of winning a premier handicap next year.”
It was a night to remember for apprentice Colin Keane, son of trainer Gerry, who registered his first racecourse success on board No Trimmings in the second division of this 47-65 handicap over a mile.
Keane (16) is a former champion on the pony racing circuit and was tasting success here on only his seventh ride under rules.
