A DISTINGUISHED riding career that spanned well over a decade and yielded some never-to-be-forgotten successes came to a close last Friday evening when Lisa O’Neill announced her retirement from the saddle after partnering the Gordon Elliott-trained The Friday Man to victory in the lady riders’ bumper.

This success made it 101 wins for the jockey on the track and in point-to-points and she bowed out just under 12 years after Nigel Hawke’s Vintage Fabric gave her a first success on the track at Newton Abbot in June 2010.

A victory aboard Tiger Roll in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham five years ago was the highlight of her career, but there were a number of other milestone successes to go with that famous day at Prestbury Park.

She partnered two Kerry National winners for Gordon Elliott in Wrath Of Titans and Potters Point, while she notched up three victories in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh. On three occasions she was crowned champion lady amateur, while she rode out her claim with a double at Laytown in 2018.

Smooth

The rider could hardly have hoped for a smoother final winner than the Micheal Hanrahan-owned The Friday Man (7/2) who built on a decent run at Killarney last month to win this with plenty to spare.

The five-year-old went to the front around a quarter of a mile from home and dished out a nine-length beating to Moresby Buoy, with the 11/10 favourite Polo Lounge having to settle for fourth.

“I’ve had a great time of it and I’ve had fantastic support from Gordon and all his owners and it’s been a brilliant career,” reflected O’Neill. “I’ve been in a very lucky position and got to ride some great horses throughout my career. I’m very privileged and really appreciate the backing that I’ve had throughout.”

“When I saw Tiger Roll retire this year I knew it was my time to go as well. I think I was only a passenger on the day he won in Cheltenham but it was a Cheltenham Festival winner and it’s fantastic to have that in my pocket. Gigginstown House Stud have been phenomenal throughout my career and have put so much support behind me. Without them I wouldn’t be here today.”

JOHN McConnell’s hardy campaigner Wild Shot took his career tally to nine wins from 80 starts in the Tramore Amusement Park Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles.

The versatile Cathal McGuckin-owned eight-year-old was returned the 11/4 favourite under Shane Fitzgerald who produced him with a well-timed effort to head the pace setting Tom McGreevy after the last and prevail by two lengths. This win came a month after Wild Shot had opened his hurdling account in a Downpatrick maiden.

“He made a bad mistake at the last with a circuit to go and it just took a while to get him travelling but he dug deep and galloped to the line,” remarked the rider.

Jimmy Barcoe’s Frazel Express has quite an affinity for this track and she notched up her third win at Tramore in the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. This mare won a bumper here in 2016 but had to wait until April to add to her tally, but she is clearly in fine heart at present as this latest success followed on from a creditable second to Steppenwolf at Clonmel last month.

Donagh Meyler was on board the 4/1 chance who defeated Eric Carmen by two lengths. A return to Tramore for the August Festival is on the agenda for the winner who is owned by the trainer’s wife, Yvonne.

Meyler ended the evening with his second double in six days as the victory of Frazel Express followed that of Eagle Terrace (13/2) in the FormaHoof Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles. On just his second outing over hurdles Denis Hogan’s charge came between horses to lead at the last and defeat stablemate Prince Of Verona by four lengths. The winner carries the colours of the Last One For The Road Syndicate.

Mater Matuta gets

her head back in front

ALMOST three years after her only previous success, which came for Jim Bolger and Godolphin in a Ballinrobe maiden, Mater Matuta added to her tally in the two-mile handicap chase.

Now under the care of Eamonn Delaney and owned by David Jordan, this daughter of Dawn Approach had run several of her best races at this track for her current connections. Jordan Gainford, who had been placed on the mare on several occasions in the past, was again on board and he produced her to take control in the closing stages for a five-length triumph over Inagh’s Gift.

“She did it very well and I think fences have brought out a different side to her,” stated the rider.

Philip Fenton and Brian Hayes combined for a winner when Lake Chad (7/2) landed the two-mile-five-furlong beginner’s chase for horses rated 102 or less over hurdles. When Winding River took a heavy fall two out when challenging for the lead it looked to have paved the way for the front running Leac An Scail Lady to prevail. However, the Eileen Moore-owned Lake Chad, who was hampered by Winding River, finished with a flourish to strike the front late on to carry the day by three parts of a length. The winner could return to Tramore in August.

Elsewhere Ray Cody and Jack Foley combined to win the near two-and-three-quarter-mile mares maiden hurdle with Highland Penny (11/2).

The 98-rated mare produced a fine display from the front to score by ten lengths from Shannon Glory.

“She has loads of ability but it’s just getting it out of her. We left the blinkers off her the last day and Denis (O’Regan) came back in and said to put them back on her as she didn’t do a stroke,” commented Cody. “I’m delighted for the owners Rhona and Paddy (MacKenzie) and this mare will probably go back handicapping now.”