Oisin Murphy made a winning debut at his local track when partnering Joseph O’Brien’s 1/5 favourite Celtic Motif to win the eight-furlong fillies’ maiden at Killarney on Tuesday. She made every yard of the running and coasted to a six-length win over Ken Condon’s 7/1 chance Taj Crown. The multiple British champion jockey landed a second success when on the Michael O’Callaghan-trained 3/1 chance Saga Gaga in the 11-furlong fillies’ handicap. She led inside the final 100 yards to beat the Richrd O’Brien-trained Spanish Temptress by a length and three-parts.
Phillip Enright and Charles Byrnes joined forces to win the two and a half-mile mares’ hurdle at Killarney on Thursday in the colours of the Top Of The Hill Syndicate. The 12/1 chance came with a late run and collared Willie Mullins’ 5/6 favourite Murcia close to the finish to win by half a length.
Local trainer David O’Sullivan saddled the 11/2 chance Cullenwaine to win the second division of the near three-mile handicap chase at Killarney on Friday. Owned by the Larrys Dreamers Syndicate, the Shane O’Callaghan-ridden eight-year-old was well on top as he led before the third-last fence to beat the Eric McNamara-trained Kilkee Bay, a 5/1 shot, by all of 15 lengths.
Oisin Murphy and trainer Michael O’Callaghan both added to their wins at Killarney earlier in the week as the two-year-old Celeron scored an impressive win in the six-furlong Group 2 Gain Railway Stakes for the New Morning Syndicate at the Curragh on Saturday. The 7/2 chance raced clear inside the final furlong and won by an easy three lengths from the Robson De Aguiar-trained 17/2 shot Tribeca, and could now be tried over an extra furlong in the National Stakes at Irish Champions Festival at the Curragh in September.
Upcoming Fixtures
Ballinrobe – Tuesday, July 21 (First race 4.36pm)
Naas – Wednesday, July 22 (First race 5.30pm)
Wexford – Wednesday, July 22 (First race 2.15pm)
Wexford – Thursday, July 23 (First race 5.10pm)
Leopardstown – Thursday, July 23 (First race 4.58pm)
Cork – Friday, July 24 (First race 4.48pm)
Kilbeggan – Friday, July 24 (First race 5.05pm)
Gowran Park – Saturday, July 25 (First race 2.12pm)
