Banbridge's Flat Debut Triumph at Gowran Park Is a Win for the People
At Gowran Park on Tuesday, the beloved chaser Banbridge reminded us all why we love this sport. Kicking off his Flat career with a cosy win in the Racing Again September 19th Maiden, the 10-year-old showed that class and heart can carry you far, no matter the path you choose.
The 2024 King George and Punchestown Champion Chase winner was the 4-1 third favourite among 13 runners in the closing contest over a mile and six furlongs. But as is often the way with true champions, his quality shone through on the level. Joseph O'Brien's charge sat calmly in midfield before making headway in the final three-quarters of a mile, smoothly moving behind long-time leader Navy Guitar.
As they hit the hill climb to the finish, Joey Sheridan and Banbridge went into top gear. The crowd roared as he powered away from the field, easing at the line for a two-length victory. The fast-finishing Ballybawn Belter (28-1) made the final result look closer than it was, but there was no doubt who the star of the show was.
What's Next for Banbridge After This Flat Success?
The American Grand National is a possible option for Banbridge, but O'Brien was non-committal in the aftermath of his latest success. Speaking with the calm wisdom of a man who knows his horse well, he said: “He's a lovely horse. We didn't expect him to win but we thought it'd be a nice place for him to get the season off to a start. He really went through the race with great enthusiasm and he won snug. We are having a think about an American option for him and he also has some options at home. We'll have a chat with Ronnie (Bartlett, owner) and see what he'd like to do. It was just great to see him come back and show that enthusiasm. He likes to win races.”
Curracloe's Impressive Debut Signals a Bright Future
Johnny Murtagh is excited to see what the future holds for Curracloe following her impressive debut success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. A daughter of the brilliant Baaeed, the Qatar Racing-owned filly was not that well fancied as a 22-1 shot. But she pulled nicely clear of two horses with decent placed form to their name, including Joseph O'Brien's even-money favourite Zenith Blaze and Aidan O'Brien's Snowing.
Murtagh's pride was palpable as he reflected on the win: “She is a very nice filly. We have a few nice fillies coming along there. She has a great temperament and had been working well at home. I thought she'd need the run today but Ben said she was very natural, jumped well, took a good position and quickened up really well. She likes that ground. I'd say she's well above average to win first time out for one of ours. We'll see how she is and speak to Sheikh Fahad and the team and see what they want to do. We might give her one more run this season but her future lies as a three-year-old, I think. She will be a mile and a quarter filly.”
Drumbeat and Equus Victor Share the Spoils in a Dead-Heat
There was a dead-heat in the following Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden, with Aidan O'Brien's 5-4 favourite Drumbeat and Daniel Murphy's 14-1 chance Equus Victor sharing the spoils after passing the post as one. A rare and thrilling outcome that had everyone talking.
Starborn Legend Confirms Promise with Gritty Victory
Joseph O'Brien's 6-4 market leader Starborn Legend then confirmed previous promise with a short head victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. “It was a good spot and he was tough and he deserved to win. He'd had a couple of good runs,” said O'Brien after the first part of his double. “He's probably going to be around the 80 mark after today I reckon, so he'll probably go into a three-year-old handicap and looks like he'll go a mile if we want to do that.”
Days like this remind us that racing is more than just a sport. It's a community, a shared passion, and a celebration of the bond between horse and human. Here at Dáil na nDaoine, we tip our caps to all the connections, and we look forward to seeing where these remarkable athletes go next.