CONGRATULATIONS to Danny O’Donovan and his business partner Justin Timmins who pulled off a bit of a coup with their filly Little Rooster, who won her maiden at Naas in July when trained by Paul Deegan. Danny (25) and Justin (24) met at RACE some years ago and have remained friends over the years. They have worked at various yards since and Danny has held the post of head lad for Richard Brabazon. Justin is currently seeing out his time as a member of the YITBA Apprenticeship scheme.
They decided to take a plunge at the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale last year and Little Rooster was one of their choices; with a maximum budget to spend of €6,000 to spend on her, they went on to €7,000.
Danny explained: “She absolutely stood out, her movement and perfect conformation, we really liked her. Her sire Vale Of York isn’t proven yet and we knew if she had been by a more fashionable sire we didn’t stand a chance.’’
They worked with the filly in their spare time, over lunch breaks, early mornings and in the evenings and got much help and advice from friends and employers. Looking for a return on their money they offered the Vale Of York filly for sale at Goresbridge in May this year but turned down over €30,000 for her.
“We knew she was worth more than that,’’ continued Danny, “we had seen her homework so we continued to train her and ride out until before the Naas race when she went to registered trainer Paul Deegan for the race.’’
Little Rooster proved her worth and subsequently was sold to American owners Team Valor, owners of last weekend’s winners Euro Charline and Panama Hat among others for what Danny describes as a “substantial’’ if undisclosed sum.
The dynamic duo have now rented a yard on the Curragh and are open for business as the D. & J. Partnership where they are going to invest in breeze-up horses and also go the training route. If you have a bit of cash to invest give Danny O’Donovan a call 086 3391870 and you never know.
RTÉ One is shining a light on the racing industry in Ireland again when their documentary Power In The Blood – The Story of The Irish Thoroughbred will be broadcast on Monday at 9.35pm.
The documentary, presented by Ella McSweeney, is a one-hour show in association with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) which will turn the headlights on Ireland’s most successful international sport and the billion euro Irish thoroughbred industry.
Ireland is a recognised world-leader in thoroughbred breeding and racing and, relative to its size, punches well above its weight, being the largest producer of thoroughbred foals in Europe and the fourth overall in the world.
Ella looks into the science and human skills behind the Irish racing industry’s ability to produce so many winners, she visits Coolmore Stud and Ballydoyle training facility, the Irish National Stud, Goffs Bloodstock Sales house, Gilltown Stud and the Irish Equine Centre.
This is all part of the build up to the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend on September 13th and 14th at Leopardstown and the Curragh respectively. The combined programme will represent the greatest concentration of quality flat racing ever staged in Ireland and includes five Group 1 races, two Group 2 races, three Group 3 races and four premier handicaps, each worth €150,000. The aim is to see 20,000 people pass through the gates and also enjoy the ancillary activities.
Join the fun at racing’s big party
WHY not join the party to celebrate the best of Irish flat racing and to help you out we have two pairs of tickets for Irish Champions Weekend to give away. Each ticket is worth €30 and covers admission to both Leopardstown on Sept 13th and the Curragh on Sept 14th. Each person will also receive a €5 Tote bet and a €5 food and beverage voucher.
To be in with a chance to win this fantastic draw, send your full contact details by next Wednesday, August 27th to fieldcomp@theirishfield.ie. One entry per email address please.
Ideal arm candy
MOYGLARE Stud manager Malachy Ryan has a fall-back option in case he needs a change of scene as he has been nominated by Fiona Craig, bloodstock advisor at Moyglare, to head to Tralee next year and try his hand as an escort for the Rose of Tralee annual fandango. Last week Malachy and Fiona were glued to the live action on the telly from the Dome. Malachy has been promised a few tips from Mark Weld (a former rose escort) before he enters.
The Kentucky Rose had a huge following and Carthy’s bar in Lexington was full on both nights with supporters but most people spotted the Philadelphia rose, Maria Walsh, as the winner.
Water, water everywhere
RUBY Walsh was on duty for Racing UK at York this week and got more than he bargained for. The champ lost a tipping challenge with fellow RUK ambassador Michael Owen and Ruby’s forfeit was to take part in the popular Ice Bucket Challenge, which involves the dumping of a bucket of ice water over the participant’s head to raise awareness and money for charity, in this instance ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
After presenter Oli Bell had done the honours, Ruby said: “A bet’s a bet, and all credit to Michael who picked two out of four winners in the challenge. It’s a great cause and luckily us jockeys are used to a bit of discomfort, so it was straightforward enough. The look of excitement on Oli’s face was slightly disconcerting though!” Also due to get ‘iced’ at Killarney last evening (Friday) were jockeys Barry Geraghty, Paul Townend and John Cullen who accepted Dáithí O’Sé’s Ice Bucket Challenge at Killarney Racecourse’s August Festival in support of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Text MND to 50300 to donate €2 to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Last chance before water charges
NAAS Racecourse has jumped on the ice bucket challenge bandwagon and nominated 10 people from across the Irish racing community to film themselves getting a soaking in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.
The 10 personalities are asked to post their videos online, along with a €20 pledge, giving them the right to nominate somebody else to take the challenge. The celebs can forfeit if they wish but this means a €100 donation.
Naas has nominated Johnny Murtagh (trainer), Kevin O’Ryan (At The Races), Davy Russell (jockey), Hector Ó hEochagáin (presenter), Ted Walsh (racing commentator), Rozanna Purcell (ladies day judge), Richie Galway (racing manager, Punchestown), Jason Morris (Horse Racing Ireland), Paddy Power (bookmaker) and Niall Cronin (racing journalist).
Over to you boys and girls.
Donations can be made by logging on to the irishinjuredjockeys.com website.
Gaybo: Legendary broadcaster Gay Byrne and his wife Kathleen are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year and as keen racegoers, the Curragh Racecourse will help them celebrate by staging the Gay and Kathleen Byrne Celebrating 50 Years of Marriage Handicap today at the Curragh. Gay and Kathleen will present the trophy to the winning owner of the race which is scheduled for 3.45pm.