THE team at Killarney Racecourse is celebrating ahead of the July Festival of Racing following a glorious double that links the track with one of the premier classic events in world racing.
This year’s Epson Derby winner, Anthony Van Dyck – a son of the great Galileo – triumphed in the Stallion Farms EBF Maiden in Killarney last July when he was piloted to an eight-length victory by Donnacha O’Brien.
That followed the success of 2017 Derby champion Wings of Eagles who won in Killarney in 2017, under jockey Padraig Beggy, making it a delightful double not only for top trainer, Aidan O’Brien, but for the Killarney course.
Anthony Van Dyck will again headline Aidan O’Brien’s six contenders for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh this Saturday.
“Killarney has unearthed some notable performers in the very recent past along with some household names such as the two Derby winners and we expect many more budding superstars will perform at the track this year and in the future,” said Racing Manager Philip O’Brien.
“The fact that trainers of the calibre of Aidan O’Brien are happy to bring their best horses here is testament to just how good the course is and how respected it is,” he added.
Philip, himself, is no stranger to the world of top-notch horseracing as, prior to taking up the post in Killarney, he enjoyed a very successful career as an amateur and professional jockey.
A native of Rathkeale, Co Limerick, he received his jockey’s licence at the age of 16 and rode well over 100 winners in a career in the saddle that saw him compete in the 2002 Aintree Grand National and at Cheltenham on a number of occasions.
An Equine Science graduate from the University of Limerick and an established trainer, Philip insists there isn’t a racecourse in the world that can match the natural beauty of Killarney and he said the team at the Ross Road facility has worked tirelessly to ensure the course is in pristine condition for the July and August racing festivals.
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