THIS year’s Galway Festival had many memorable moments, but none to rival that of young Dan King bridging a very long gap back to when the same rider was aboard the winners of both the Galway Plate and Hurdle in the one year. The modesty displayed after each success further endeared him to many, and he is certainly a man to watch for the future.

Both victories came on Irish-bred winners, and each had some Galway connection. The Hurdle winner was bred locally by owner Ray Grehan at his Whitefriar Stud, while the Plate winner King Alexander’s dam, Pale Face (High Chaparral), was purchased by Margaret Joyce of Cahermorris Stables as a foal at Goffs, but sold at a loss when she was reoffered at the next year’s Orby Sale.