Limerick racing connections visit winners' enclosure

ASKEATON amateur rider Aine O'Connor was among the winners at Gowran Park on Goffs Thyestes Day where she partnered Hands Of Gold to win the ladies’ maiden hurdle.

Trained for Limerick owner JP McManus by Arthur Moore, the five-year-old led before the final flight and pulled clear to score by six lengths from the Gordon Elliott-trained Purse Price at odds of 100/30. Moore rode his father Dan’s Veuve to win the Thyestes Chase in 1973 and he trained Wylde Hide back-to-back renewals in 1995 and 1996.

Ballingarry jockey Billy Lee continued his bright start to the new year as he won the six-furlong conditions’ race on Song For Whoever, the easiest winner of the session, at Dundalk on Friday evening.

The Genesis Thoroughbreds Club-owned 8/15 favourite raced clear from the furlong pole to win by three and a quarter lengths from the Natalia Lupini-trained Dynamite Katie, a third success of 2023 for the Ballingarry jockey and a first for Curragh trainer John O'Donoghue.

Shanagolden jockey Chris Hayes recorded his first winner of the year on his first day riding when taking the concluding six-furlong handicap on Hero Of The Jour. Owned by David Hoey and trained in Drogheda by George Kingston, the 4/1 chance came home a length and a half clear of Denis Hogan’s Lexington Liberty. 

Ballingarry trainer Charles Byrnes and his son Philip combined to win the near two-mile maiden hurdle at Naas on Sunday with the 9/1 shot Byker. The four-year-old led between the final two hurdle and stuck to his task well to beat the Jessica Harrington-trained Mighty Mo Missouri by a length and three-parts.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Limerick – Tuesday, January 31 (First Race 12.25pm)

Dundalk – Wednesday, February 1 (First Race 1.10pm)

Dundalk – Friday, February 3 (First Race 4.30pm)

Leopardstown – Saturday, February 4 (First Race 1.20pm)

Leopardstown – Sunday, February 5 (First Race 1.10pm)