Leopardstown’s meeting on Saturday comprised a programme of races solely for two-year-olds and it was completely dominated by trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners Coolmore who won all but one of the seven races.

Two of the O’Brien winners were ridden by Ronan Whelan but it was 5lb claimer Jack Cleary who stole the show with a four-timer on his 22nd birthday.

Despite not being able to claim his allowance, Cleary landed both Group 3s on the card with Christmas Day (13/2) giving him his first ever pattern race success in the Mongey Communications Eyrefield Stakes over nine furlongs.

A maiden winner at Gowran Park on his previous start, the winner raced upsides A Boy Named Susie in the second row behind the leaders. Both horses made their moves entering the final quarter-mile and A Boy Named Susie gained a narrow advantage over a furlong out.

He couldn’t shrug off Christmas Day, though, who got the better of a great tussle in the closing stages and led on the line to score by a short head.

“He took great confidence from the win the last day and Jack said he had grown up a lot since then,” said Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong.

“He was tough at the finish and Jack gave him a lovely ride. He will hopefully winter well and come back for a trial in the spring. We’d be hoping that he’ll make up into a nice middle-distance horse for next year.”

‘Like an ATM machine’

Dorset (13/8) made all under Cleary in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes over seven furlongs. The grey son of Wootton Bassett raced keenly but was unpestered on the front end and quickened clear over a furlong out before holding stablemate, and market rival, Daytona by half a length.

Dorset had also been partnered by Cleary when winning the Goffs Million at the Curragh on his previous start.

“He’s like an ATM machine for Jack, he’s the horse that keeps on giving!” said Armstrong. “Today he jumped and was a bit keener but Jack got to keep a bit of a reserve on him.

“He probably nicked it around the bend and Ronan (Whelan, on Daytona) couldn’t run him down. Ronan’s is a very nice horse. I would say that’s probably him for the year but you’d never know what Aidan might think. He’s going to be a lovely horse for next year.”

AMELIA Earhart (4/6 favourite) was Jack Cleary’s first winner in the Irish EBF Fillies Maiden (Smullen Series). The daughter of Camelot, fourth in a Group 3 on her previous start, was prominent throughout and went clear early in the straight to beat Chasing Paradise by seven lengths.

Armstrong said: “The step up to a mile really allowed her to show her true potential. She’s has shown a lot of class at home and will be a lovely filly to start off in an Oaks trial next year.”

The victory of River Ara (13/8 favourite) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery capped a dream birthday for Cleary as the daughter of St Mark’s Basilica provided him with his fourth winner of the afternoon.

The 13/8 favourite was prominent throughout the mile contest and battled well to fend off Iamimmaculate by half a length after that rival had headed her over a furlong out.

Chris Armstrong commented: “We thought she was off a nice enough mark coming here. She jumped quick from the stalls, which she hadn’t been doing on her last couple of runs. She’ll have no problem going up in trip again. Jack is probably the best value for 5lb riding at the moment.”

RONAN Whelan is another rider who has done well for Ballydoyle this season and Ex Animo (15/2) was the first of his two winners for the all-conquering stable when showing good resolution to land the Irish EBF (C&G) Smullen Series Maiden.

The Wootton Bassett colt bounced out in front but was pressed throughout by Sharkeyboy, who came to dispute the lead turning for home. Ex Animo stuck his head out gamely in the closing stages to record a hard-fought head success.

“Ronan gave him a very positive ride from the front and, when he needed to be, he was strong on him,” said Chris Armstrong. “I’d say that’ll be him for the year and we’ll see where he fits in next year in a trial.”

Minerva on Guineas trail

Minerva (4/7 favourite) completed Whelan’s brace when leading home an O’Brien 1-2-3 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

The 98-rated Frankel filly was soon in front and kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a comprehensive three-and-a-half-length success over Garden Party with Take A Bow back in third.

Chris Armstrong said: “Ronan got her into a lovely rhythm and let her bowl away. She’s a filly that Aidan has thought a lot of for a while. She will probably come back in the spring for a Guineas trial and we’ll see where she fits in.”

Melia breaks the chain

A trainer named Aidan also won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden but Unauthorized’s victory for Aidan Melia put a stop to Aidan O’Brien’s chance of going through the card.

The Michelle Connolly-owned winner, sent off a 7/1 chance, led after two furlongs and stayed on gamely in the straight to hold Karrygrant by three-parts of a length.

Winning jockey Rory Cleary said: “Aidan said today to pop smart and get in a nice forward position, and make the best of your way home. He did it all nice and easy and picked up smartly for me. He has a good attitude and Aidan thinks he’ll get a mile in time.”