A SPECIAL day is how Declan Queally described last Sunday at Ballynoe following the win of his charge, Thegirlfrommilan, in the featured Gain Horse Feeds Mares Final. “I had my hand shook more for training that winner than I ever did for riding one!” said the 27-year-old.

“It meant a lot to me to be congratulated by owners for whom I’d ridden winners and, of course, I was thrilled for my own owners, Eileen and Neil O’Mahony, who are die-hard point-to-point people and are at a meeting every Sunday. For them, winning the Gain Final was like winning a Gold Cup!”

Based in Knockraha, Watergrasshill, the sister and brother duo breed a few horses and like to buy a few as well. They only had to pay €1,000 for Thegirlfrommilan when she came up as a foal at Goffs in December 2010, having been consigned to the sale by Grange Stud, home of her sire, Milan.

The bay is the second of five recorded produce, all fillies, out of the hurdle-winning Arctic Lord mare Legendsofthefall, a half-sister to three winners of three races apiece, from the family of Bavard Dieu and Silent Member.

Queally rode Thegirlfrommilan when she won her maiden on her third attempt at Knockanard on St Valentine’s Day and when she was second in a winners of two at Lismore on March 6th. However, under suspension following the hunters’ chase at Downpatrick last month, he had to give the ride at Ballynoe over to Ciaran Fennessy.

“Sunday was the plan, we’re happy that it worked out and her job for the moment is done,” replied the Cappagh handler when asked what the six-year-old would do next. “She may get a couple of entries in mares’ maiden hurdles but she won’t be abused as we see her having a future as a staying chaser.

“I’m really enjoying my first season as a trainer and hope to build on this. I’ve six horses in work and have saddled four winners. I read what Gordon Elliott had to say about how difficult it was to make it as a trainer, and it opened my eyes to the difficulties ahead, but I want to give it a shot and do my best.

“It’s tougher these days trying to get rides in point-to-points as it has been a funny old season,” continued Queally who has partnered eight winners from 75 mounts this term.

“The fields have been small and there have been few divides. Time was I could get six rides if there were nine or 10 races, now I’m very lucky if I get three on a six-race card.”