THREE generations of the McDonagh Family of Cratloe (Garrynacurra Stud) enjoyed success at the second leg of the King John’s Castle Racing Festival at Greenmount Park, Patrickswell.
In a competitive John Thomas McNamara Series Handicap Hurdle, Michael McDonagh trained his own Positive Thinker, under a good ride from Adam Ryan, to land the spoils. The winner was returned 6/5 favourite.
Later McDonogh’s grandson Mark – for his own dad Mark senior – guided Jody Ted (16/5jf) to victory in the €45,000 STL Handicap Chase. The winner was trained by Eoin Griffin, Kilkenny.
Griffin said: “We had this race in mind for a while as he is a second-season novice and it’s a good day for the local McDonagh family who had an earlier winner – I think half of Cratloe are here!
“Mark gave him a really nice ride – I didn’t over-burden him with instructions but he rode him exactly the way I would have liked.”
On behalf of the sponsor, the trophy was presented by nonagenarian Joe Hennessy, Newcastle West.
Earlier, Eric/Conor McNamara’s Millstream Lady (9/2) was the promoted winner of the Garrynacurra Stud Handicap Hurdle, as the stewards demoted first-past-the-post Rockbrook having caused some interference on the run-in.
Millstream Lady is owned by Seamus O’Riordan, Edward Hayes and Eamon Leahy.
Explained Leahy: “I come from a place called Millstream, between Abbefyeale and Templeglantine, near enough to the Devon Road Cross. Sadly, we loss my great sister, Nurse Ita Kelly, on holiday in Portugal a few years ago. She had worked for 37 years at Croom Hospital, and so it was decided to call this horse after her because she was a lady.”
