Clonmel win for Mallow trainer
Thursday February 25 2010
At Clonmel races on Thursday last, Knockbrack Vic, trained at Doneraile, Mallow by John Joe Walshe, and powerfully ridden by Eddie Power, was a game winner, of the
10,500, Ballypatrick Handicap Hurdle, over 2m 4 f.
Always prominent, he tracked the leaders on the inner, with 4 to jump, he was being hard driven, but responding, making rapid headway, on the downhill run to the straight, he stayed on the favoured rails position, to dispute the lead, jumping the last he led narrowly, and stayed on in real game style, to win by half a length, from Whatsabillon in a thrilling finish.
Winner of a point-to-point at Dromahane two years ago, he had being placed, in two bumpers, and two maiden hurdles, and was nicely supported from 8/1 to 6/1 to land the spoils.
He is owned and bred, by well-known popular Abbeyfeale businessman, Vincent O'Connor, who indicated, that a similar handicap will figure on the winners next engagement. He wished to thank trainer John Joe Walsh and his family and staff for the excellent work they have done in the preparation of his runner for his first success, and was highly complimentary of winning jockey Eddie Power for his brilliant riding performance.
He was showered with well wishes, in the winners enclosure afterwards, and was accompanied by his wife Mary, father Jim and brother Seamus, along with a racing entourage of friends, which included, Adrian Hartnett, joint owner of Irish banker Dunguib, which will carry the hopes of Abbeyfeale and Ireland at Cheltenham next month, Colm Horgan, Gerard Lenihan, and many more. The winner, was to have been ridden by Tralee jockey Sean McDermot, but he unfortunately was injured in the previous race, and was stood down, but is making a fine recovery.
