Horse Racing Roundup
Heart Wood under Darragh O'Keeffe jumps the last before going onto win the O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey New Year's Day Chase at Tramore. Photo: Noel Browne
Henry De Bromhead was on the mark at both Irish fixtures on the Monday after Christmas. 11/1 shot Walks In June obliged at Fairyhouse while Its Bilbo was a 9/2 winner at Limerick. Both victories came over hurdles.
Sean Houlihan made the long trip up to Haydock worthwhile steering Captain Hugo the 4/5 favourite to an easy success over hurdles.
At the Dromahane point fixture Global Tariffs made a successful debut under Ballyduff Upper jockey Adam Feeney when obliging by half a length.
Over Christmas Gordon Elliott saddled an amazing 18 winners. 13 of those at Leopardstown, 3 at Limerick and 2 in Down Royal.
Over 17,000 were present to see the Harry Redknapp owned The Jukebox Man take the King George Chase in exciting fashion.
After guiding Cousin Kate to victory at Cork winning rider Eoin Staples had his claim reduced to 5 pounds.
The Handicap Chase victory by Milan Forth at Cork provided winning rider Kevin Healy with his first track success since making the move from amateur to conditional status. It also marked a first track victory for former amateur rider turned trainer Simon Cavanagh. Simon has 10 horses in training RECENT LOSSES Nurburgring and James’s Gate both failed to return home from Leopardstown while Philip Rothwell lost Cheerful Chap at Cork.
Denis Hogan (10 days) and Michael Kenneally (4 days) both picked up whip bans over the holiday period.
The death occurred of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. He bred Dubawi and enjoyed Epsom Derby success with High Rise. His silks were yellow with medium black sized spots. He was a cousin of Sheikh Mohammed the ruler of Dubai.
Former English trainer Ian Balding who sent out the great Mill Reef to win an Epsom Derby died aged 87.
Paul Townend missed a number of rides at Tramore having felt sore from a fall sustained at Punchestown 24 hours earlier while Nico de Boinville took a week off after a Cheltenham tumble. Danny McMenamin is currently sidelined following a heavy fall at Haydock.
Leading National Hunt sire Mahler died over the Christmas period.
