THERE were plenty of local celebrations in Old Leighlin on Tuesday when the newcomer Jumping Jet impressively landed the mares’ bumper at Gowran Park as the 14/1 shot provided 17-year-old Kieran Callaghan with his first career success while giving trainer, and neighbour, Barry Fitzgerald his first win of the season.

The Getaway five-year-old, who was bred at the Brentford Farm near Comber by David Mitchell, is the younger of just two foals out of the unraced, and since deceased, Little Mili (by Milan). That 2006 mare was a half-sister to four winners from the family of Percy Smollett, Western Sunset and Stormyfairweather, etc.

On the same afternoon, but over at Leicester, the Michael Millar-bred Somekindofstar (who is also by Getaway) recorded his second success for the Lucy Wadham yard when winning the two-and-a-half-mile novices’ handicap chase.

Ridden on this occasion by Jack Quinlan, the eight-year-old gelding is the fifth of seven foals, and the only winner to date, out of the unraced Katty Barry.

Among that Alderbrook mare’s four successful siblings were the 10-time winner Hey Big Spender and the four-time scorer Miss Orchestra, dam, in turn, of Value At Risk and Battlecry.

Maxwell Racing

At the same meeting, the colours of David Maxwell Racing were carried to victory in the two-mile–six-and-a-half-furlong hunters’ chase by the Paul Nicholls-trained 4/9 favourite, Cat Tiger.

A seven-year-old by the Kilbarry Lodge Stud-based Diamond Boy, the bay gelding was partnered in these days of no amateur riders in Britain by the in-form Harry Cobden.

On the flat, the Pat Turley-bred French Minstrel struck on the fifth time of asking for the William Knight yard when claiming the opening mile-and-a-half handicap under Callum Shepherd at Lingfield on Friday. The four-year-old Gutaifan gelding is the second of four foals out of the dual winning Oratorio mare C’Est Ma Souer, a half-sister to Emperor Hadrian (by Holy Roman Emperor). This is the family of the well-travelled 11-time winner Palacegate Episode, Dutch Art, etc.

At Chelmsford City the following evening, the George Boughey-trained Silent Queen won for the second time this year when, in the hands of Kevin Stott, she won the six-furlong fillies’ handicap.

Another by Gutaifan, the three-year-old, who comes from the family of Lammtarra, etc., is one of three winners out of the two-time winning Seeking The Gold mare Golden Hush.

Harley success

In the earlier near mile-and-six conditions race, Co Donegal-born Martin Harley recorded his first success since his return from surgery on his shoulder.

The classic-winning jockey won on the 11-year-old Cape Cross gelding Dolphin Village who was then retired by trainer Shaun Harris.

Staying on the flat, Co Antrim’s Sam Ewing had his claim reduced to 5lb when landing a double on Friday at Dundalk where Co Donegal’s Dylan Browne McMonagle was also among the winners while Patrick McCann’s 11-year-old Verglas gelding Togoville won for the 16th time in total, and on the 14th occasion at the Co Louth track, for Co Monaghan trainer Anthony McCann.