Play Flat jockey Colin Keane closes in on record as Straight Answer heads for Dewhurst
Ronan Whelan and trainer Ado McGuinness (right) in the winner’s enclosure after landing the prestigious Prix de l’Abbaye with A Case Of You on Sunday. Photo: Thibault Camus/AP
Colin Keane moved just one away from equalling the record number of winners in an Irish Flat season when Maker Of Kings (5/2 favourite) turned the Group Three Concorde Stakes into a procession yesterday.
Keane already has his third Irish Flat jockeys’ championship in the bag, but history is well and truly in his sights after Ger Lyons’ four-year-old revelled in the testing conditions at Tipperary to come home alone by five-and-a-half lengths.
The Meath rider, who has had over 720 mounts this season, is just one shy of Joseph O’Brien’s record tally of 126 winners with another six hopes at Dundalk tomorrow as he eyes racing immortality.
The 27-year-old will hope to have that feat accomplished before Saturday when he heads to Newmarket after Lyons’ exciting juvenile Straight Answer was supplemented for the Dewhurst Stakes at a cost of €40,000.
The unbeaten two-year-old made no mistake on debut at the Curragh in August before sizzling with a Listed success at Fairyhouse last month and connections feel the Group One test will “further his education” as he faces English 2,000 Guineas favourite Native Trail, which is trained by Charlie Appleby.
“While this is a very big ask, we just thought it was worth a go as it will further his education for next year to put him in Group One company,” Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said.
“Part of why we supplemented was the weather forecast, it looks set fair and he’s a horse that wants good ground. This is a big step from a Listed at Fairyhouse to a Group One and it’s his first try over seven furlongs, but we are excited to see if he can step up to that level.”
Meanwhile, Ronan Whelan was out of luck at the Tipp track yesterday but there was still plenty to smile about after memorably securing the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on Sunday aboard the Ado McGuinness-trained A Case Of You.
Whelan’s second Group One success was a “dream come true” as the Kildare rider pounced in the shadows of the post to help the brilliant three-year-old prevail.
“I was a bit gutted after the last day (Flying Five at the Curragh), he flew home and I thought in another few strides maybe he could have won. We’re only learning about the horse and we were delighted with how he ran the last day,” Whelan said.
“I’m just delighted that he proved it was no fluke and to ride a winner here is a dream come true. When they called out the result, I didn’t know whether to smile or cry.”
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