Turn delivers as Jonathan Burke emulates father
Burke’s father, Liam, had been successful in training Sir Frederick to land the festival’s chasing feature in 2007, while de Bromhead’s father, Harry, went agonisingly close when Bishops Hall beat all bar Life Of A Lord in 1996.
Yesterday’s renewal was eventful from the outset, with Indevan departing at the first, and three more, Foildubh, Colour Squadron and Make A Track, exiting the stage at the second.
The pace wasn’t as frantic as usual, as The Paparrazi Kid and Baily Green shared pace-making duties at a sensible speed.
Shanahan’s Turn, who had won a Grade Two novice event at Punchestown back in November, but lost his form somewhat in the intervening months, seemed to appreciate the return to summer ground, and the lightly raced seven-year-old sat right behind the pace, before Burke chose to up the tempo going to the fifth last.
The new leader stretched his advantage going to the third last, but there was plenty of time for further drama as Irish National runner-up Rule The World closed menacingly racing to two out.
He jumped that fence well — too well, perhaps — and clipped the heels of the leader between the two fences in the dip, before tumbling to the ground.
That left Shanahan’s Turn to go clear once more, and he never again looked like relinquishing his advantage as he galloped away to a comprehensive victory over The Paparazzi Kid, with the winner’s stable companion, Sadler’s Risk, running a blinder to finish third.
“The horse was deadly, and jumped brilliantly all the way,” said De Bromhead.
“I’m delighted for Ann and Alan (Potts, owners). Ann is in hospital at the moment, and I know this will be a tonic for her. They’ve been amazing supporters of ours over the years, and we really appreciate it. I couldn’t be happier for them.
“I thought if the horse could rediscover his form of last autumn, he’d look well in. The prep run, at Killarney, was pretty disappointing, but I think a lot of horses just didn’t get into that race at all.
“Obviously, he’s more of a stayer, and I was very disappointed, but, funnily enough, the one man who wasn’t was Barry Geraghty, who rode him. He said he was good.
“I didn’t think they went mad up front, and Johnny was just in the right place the whole time. And what a brave thing to do, to let him roll.
“I was delighted when he did — no matter what happened. Win, lose or draw it was the right thing to do. Sadler’s Risk stayed on really well, and Andrew (Lynch) gave him a great ride.
“With any of those guys, they tell you where they want to be and unless I completely disagree with them, you leave them off. They’re top riders, and we’re very lucky to have those kind of men riding for us.
“My father went close to winning this race in 1996 — he was just chinned with Bishops Hall — so just delighted to set that record straight as well. It’s such a famous race, it’s amazing to get our name on the board.
“It was great to have first and third, it’s shocking we didn’t get first and second,” he joked.
“I always felt Shanahan’s Turn was a graded horse. He won a Grade Two in November, it probably wasn’t the greatest Grade Two of all time, but we hit soft ground then, and I made a few mistakes with him.
“We know him now, so he might go to the race in Gowran which Sizing Europe has won for the last few years. The two and a half miles there should suit him, and hopefully he might develop into a Grade One horse.”
Winning rider Burke, 19, is one of the most exciting young talents in the sport right now, and has come a long way in a very short time. The overjoyed rider said: “It brings back fond memories of when my father won it, back in 2007. Galway has been good to us down through the years, but this is brilliant.
“Dad has been such a massive mentor to me. As well as a father, he has been a coach. Along with my sister, Amy, they have always been there for me.”
Wondering at how far he has come so quickly, an appreciative Burke added: “I was claiming 5lb this time last year. Then, I got this great job in September, and it has given me the chance to ride some wonderful horses. I’m very grateful.”
Despite being so unfortunate with Rule The World, trainer Mouse Morris was one of the first to congratulate De Bromhead, while the horse’s rider, Davy Russell explained: “I was a bit unlucky. Johnny’s horse just missed the second-last, and my horse winged it. I just caught his heel going to the last. I had loads of horse under, and hadn’t played my cards.
“I’ve known Johnny since he was a child, and I’m delighted for him.”
The race was tainted by the fatal injuries suffered by Make A Track and Foildubh, while jockeys Ryan Treacy (shoulder), Danny Mullins (lower back) and Kevin Sexton (fractured right hand) all required attention post-race.
