Desertmore House lands Kerry National for Martin Brassil and Ricky Doyle

Called in from the reserves, the eight-year-old defied his lack of experience with a performance of maturity and authority

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023 - 18:22

Tommy Lyons, Listowel

The green body, black sleeves, and white cap of owner Bernard Carroll, famously carried to success in the Irish National of 2005 and Aintree Grand National of 2006 by Numbersixvalverde, earned further place in the racing annals when Desertmore House galloped to victory in the Guinness Kerry National, the feature of the Harvest Festival in Listowel.

Trained, as was Numbersixvalverde, by Martin Brassil, and ridden by Ricky Doyle, the eight-year-old, who had a bit of fortune by being called in from the reserves, defied his lack of experience with a performance of maturity and authority. Doyle had his mount in a great position throughout and when stamina was called upon, the horse came into his own.