Wexford was firmly planted in the history of Irish racing this evening as the legendary Willie Mullins trained the 3,000th success of his training career when Timi Roli (100/30) easily conquered the World Cup Betting BoyleSports App Hurdle with Danny Mullins in the saddle. The victory came from a horse carrying the colours made famous by Hurricane Fly, the record-breaking dual Champion Hurdle winner with whom the 12-time champion handler managed to 22 Grade 1 victories.
Danny Mullins also rode Jim Bolger’s 2000th winner (Teacht An Earraig at the Curragh in 2008), and after this win he said: “Willie is just fantastic at placing them.’’
Unfortunately, Willie wasn’t at Bettyville Park to greet his historic winner, however, his nephew, Danny said afterwards: “He was put away for the winter, and Willie picked this race for him from a long way back and he has won well. It was a fair performance and hopefully he will step up from here.”
Local jockey JJ Slevin gave the good-sized crowd a memorable double beginning with Ballybrowney Jack, (7/2) for his cousin, Joseph O’Brien, in the opening two-mile maiden hurdle.
His double was achieved on In A Pinch, (3/1 fav.) trained by his father, Shay, for Karen Sinnott, Ballygarrett, a combination that also scored over the same track two weeks ago in the Download New BoyleSports App Handicap Hurdle.
A brave mare, bred at Ballymitty, by Marie Doran, In A Pitch was challenged to the line by Cantkidakidder, (James O’Sullivan up), bred at Eoin Colfer’s Arctic Tack Stud at Foulksmills, and trained at Courtnacuddy by Noel Dooly, and it was a photo-finish short head verdict at the end.
Ten lengths further behind in third place was Lady of the Sea, owned and bred by Jim Mernagh, Coolamurray Stud, Davidstown, for Paul Nolan and Bryan Cooper, so a Wexford bred, owned and trained 1,2,3 to cheer on the local punters.
Nolan and Cooper had trebles at the May5th Wexford meeting and they won with Mrs Kay Browne’s Miss Sassie, (6/1), the final race of the evening – the View Results BoyleSports App Handicap Chase.
“She seemed to handle that trip well, 2 miles 4 furlongs), she jumped very well, and the small field suited her for her first run in a handicap,” said trainer Nolan, who added; “We will just look for something over two and a half miles coming up in the next few weeks.”
Gigginstown House Stud took the novice chase with Peace News, (4/1), trained in Waterford by Henry de Bromhead, who was full of praise for the winning jockey, Rachael Blackmore.
There was also success for John P. McManus as Irish Bulletin, (8/1), incidentally bred by the Oylegate-born champion trainer, Jim Bolger, in the handicap chase.
Donagh Meyler won the mares maiden hurdle on 14/1 shot, Fiesta Forever for trainer Shane Crawley, just touching the Liam Burke trained Granny Maura, depriving JJ Slevin of a treble at his home track.
All races were sponsored by the bookmaking firm, Boylesports, and the good news is that Boylesports will give similar support to Wexford’s next meeting in two week’s time on Wednesday, June 20th.