The racing week: Henry De Bromhead lauds it at Punchestown
Rachael Blackmore and the Henry de Bromhead trained Lets Go Champ on their way to victory in The HSS Hire Handicap Steeplechase at the Punchestown Festival. Photo: Inpho.
Ballylaneen born trainer Pat Phelan sent out a big priced winner at Windsor on Monday when 25/1 outsider Naasma won by a short head in a one mile four furlongs handicap.
While day 1 of the Punchestown festival failed to yield a Waterford success Cappagh flat jockey Tom Queally fared better at Brighton steering 5/1 chance Voodoo Ray to victory in a 6 furlongs sprint.
Henry De Bromhead enjoyed a double on day 2 of the Punchestown Racing festival when 4/1 shot Gorgeous Tom and 11/4 chance Lets Go Champ won their respective races over hurdles.
Dungarvan born trainer Denis Coakley was on the mark at Lingfield Park on Thursday when 7/2 shot Party Island quickened nicely in the closing stages to score in a one and a half miles flat contest. Denis has 20 horses in training 5 of which are 2-year-olds.
Dungarvan flat jockey Trevor Whelan captured the final race at Salisbury on Sunday steering 7/1 shot Warranty to victory in a one mile 6 furlongs contest. while local trainer Henry de Bromhead teamed up with Glen Norris to capture the Charity race at the conclusion of the Punchestown racing festival with 12 /1 chance Somptueux.
When Kingston Coole scored in a point to point at Fermanagh last Friday it marked an 800th point winner for jockey Barry O Neill.
With plenty of winners at Punchestown Willie Mullins took over from Dermot Weld as the winning most Irish trainer. Willie is closing in on 4,400 career winners. He also set a record for the number of Grade 1 winners in a year.
The only horse to win the Irish Gold Cup, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup was Sizing John. Galopin De Champ failed to match that feat last Wednesday when filling the runner up berth behind Fastorslow Current trainer Jonjo O Neill is the only jockey to partner the same horse to win the Champion hurdle and Gold Cup. The horse in question being the Waterford owned Dawn Run.
Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead finished 14th in the British National Hunt trainer’s championship.
With Paddy Brennan retired Irish born English based trainer Fergal O’Brien has moved to appoint East Cork man Johnny Burke as his new stable jockey.
Tipperary apprentice rider Sean Bowen has relocated to Newmarket joining trainer James Owen.
English trainer Paul Webber who enjoyed success at Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham festival has called it a day.
For an overzealous ride on Stellar Story at Punchestown Jack Kennedy picked up a 16 days ban. It didn’t stop the Kerry man from being crowned Irish Champion jockey for the first time on Saturday.
Owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have appointed Bryony Frost as their retained rider in France.
