Mac-life for Kearney at Dundalk
Friday was an evening to remember for Castletown jockey Jack Kearney as he rode his first winner when guiding the Ger Hussey trained mare Maccliff to victory in the last race at Dundalk.
The 16-year-old son of former Walterstown and Meath footballer Ian rode a brilliant race to land the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Handicap (Div II) at odds of 40/1.
The six year old daughter of Canford Cliffs was a previous winner at the course last April and today, under Kearney for the first time, made all the running and fought bravely for a neck win over Helen De Pourtales.
"I’m apprenticed to Noel Meade and I've had about 25 rides. It’s great to get that first winner," said Kearney.
"I’m from Castletown, only over the road from Noel Meade’s yard and I’ve been riding out there the last few years. Last August I got my licence and signed on to Noel and I’m in my fifth year in school."
Ashbourne's Siobhan Rutledge was back amongst the winners at Dundalk as Adams Barbour improved a placing on Wednesday's narrow runner-up effort to land the opening Join On Instagram @dundalk_stadium Handicap.
Beaten a neck on Wednesday of last week, the five year old son of Elzaam was able to compete from his same 64 rating again under 5lbs claimer Rutledge and the heavily backed even money favourite won comfortably from Collective Power.
“Siobhan gave him a perfect ride; we didn’t want to go forward and empty him and she kept a hold of him early. He’s a horse that gives his all and hopefully he’ll keep improving," said winning trainer Lee Smyth.
There was more Meath success in the second race when Bellewstown jockey Robert Whearty partnered the Pat Martin-trained Quiet Desire to a second career win, both at Dundalk, in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Handicap.
"We were expecting her to run well and a big thing with this girl is when she is due in season, as that’s a disaster for her," said Garlow Cross, Navan trainer Martin.
"She pricked her ears a bit in the straight but just about had enough in hand. She had come back down to a nice mark and every pound counts in these handicaps. Robert rides well and doesn’t do much wrong.
"Peter (Cullen) is a very keen and enthusiastic owner and it’s great to have him here. He was roaring her all the way home," concluded Martin.
Whearty also won at the Louth venue on Wednesday of last week when steering Harbanaker to victory for Gavin Cromwell.
Gormanston's James McAuley saddled the winner of the fourth race as Moshammer landed the DundalkStadium.com Maiden
The son of Shamardal was bought by Shadwell Estates for the eye-watering sum of 500,000 guineas as a yearling, at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in October 2019, but was unraced when bought by trainer Denis Hogan for just 3,000 guineas at another Tattersalls Sale in July 2021.
Moshammer subsequently joined McAuley and scored on his fourth attempt last night, when easily justifying 6/5 favouritism under jockey Donagh O'Connor.
Bohermeen man Johnny Murtagh sent out Sixteen Arches to win the Follow Us On Twitter @DundalkStadium Maiden.