THERE was a Limerick winner on the opening afternoon of the ever-popular Ebor Festival Meeting at York Racecourse.
It came courtesy of the Pat O’Donnell (Herbertstown) trained 14/1 chance Extensio in the 2m1/2f handicap of £100,000.
The winner, owned by his wife Úna and was led up their daughter Sylvia.
“I thought we were tempting fate, but he’s a lucky horse as we got him cheaply and I don’t think we’re finished yet,” said the jovial O’Donnell, in an interview with the Racing Post.
- External Walls: Up to €8,000 Grant
- Attic: Up to €1,500 Grant
- Cavity Walls: Up to €1,700 Grant
- Internal Dry Lining: Up to €4,500 Grant
“I said to Joey (Sheridan, jockey) to be the last to challenge and he was one of the first rowing along. I loved that.
“We’re into different territory now. We said that if he won today we’d work back from Royal Ascot. It’s a big shout with a family horse, but we’re not going there for the scenery and we’re entitled to aim there.”
In a television interview, O’Donnell stated: “This (Extensio) is the lucky one. Most equestrians get (one) in their life, and this is our one.”
O’Donnell is just a six-horse trainer.