Dillon Quirke remembered as cousin Cian steers Femme Magnifique to emotional Killarney win
Femme Magnifique and Cian Quirke win the BOYLE Sports Daily Money Back Meeting Handicap Steeplechase. Pic: Healy Racing Photo
Femme Magnifique, in the colours of the DQ Number Eleven Syndicate, proved an emotional winner of the featured Lee Strand Novice Chase on the final day of Killarney’s July festival.
The Harry Kelly-trained mare, now two from three for her new trainer, ran out a facile winner under Cian Quirke, beating The Banger Doyle by eight and a half lengths and reversing Tramore form with the favourite Mic Drop.
“It’s fantastic, an emotional day for everyone,” stated the winning trainer, “She’s a fine, big mare and had good form for Willie Mullins. And she’s been very lucky for us. As the saying goes, something good has come out of something bad.”
The winning syndicate was formed in the wake of the tragic death of Clonoulty-Rossmore and Tipperary hurdler Dillon Quirke, a cousin of the winning rider, who commented, “It’s very emotional – the syndicate was formed after Dillon passed away (almost three years ago) and all involved are sports people.
“My father sold this mare to Harry Kelly, who sold her on to the syndicate. Harry has transformed her – he’s some trainer.”
Cian Quirke completed a memorable double when partnering 33/1 shot Ladies Well (first reserve) to0 victory in the first division of the Europe Hotel & Resort Handicap Chase, a third winner in twenty-four hours for trainer Andy Slattery.
Shadow Paddy, described by his rider Gary Noonan as “the best horse I’ve ridden on the track, proved the class act on the day, justifying 5/4 favouritism in the Lee Strand Novice Chase.
Racing over his minimum trip, Eoin McCarthy’s gelding tanked through most of the race before seeing off Endless Talking, comfortably by four lengths.
“We hold this horse in high regard and I’ve been box-walking all day, with nerves,” admitted McCarthy, “He lacked experience for the Grade 3 in Galway, so looked an ideal prep. He’s a lovely horse, great for the syndicate, and this is his sixth win. All roads lead to Galway now.” Fresh from a treble in Sligo on Sunday, John Ryan bagged a 35/1 double with all-the-way scorers Pets Georgina and My Gaffer.
A tremendous servant for his owner Walter O’Connor, My Gaffer registered his seventh career success when making all and holding off his rivals in the Lee Strand Handicap Hurdle, Michael Kenneaally’s mount beating Hees Dynamite by a length and a half.
“He’s a wonderful horse, a proper little racehorse, tough as nails,” declared Ryan, “He’s been a great money-spinner for his owner and this is a special day for Walter and his family.”
The Ryan double had been sparked when JJ Slevin dictated the pace on Sligo bumper winner Pets Georgina in the Killarney Grand Mares Maiden Hurdle. And she stayed on dourly to beat Chisel Hill convincingly.
Ryan stated, “She’s a nice mare, better than the ordinary – this one is the real deal. I told JJ he was on the best horse in the race and to make the running and do it the hard way. He said it was easier than it looked. She’ll go to Cork next, for either a ‘novice’ or graded race over three miles.”
The season’s leading rider Darragh O’Keeffe brought his tally for the season to 17 when he got Henry de Bromhead’s 5/6 favourite Cire Florale up to pip Minella Buoy (rider Dan King received a four-day careless riding ban)and Private Larry in the Killarney Park 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle and commented, “She’s a nice filly with a great attitude and will learn a ton from today.”
