First Ascot winners for former O'Brien apprentices
Former Flemington apprentices Oisin Murphy and Keiran Shoemark both saluted at the famed Royal Ascot meeting for the first time last night.
Both Andrew Balding apprentices came out for seperate Australian summers on loan to trainer Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien.
Murphy rode 13 winners in his stint here, including 6 in town, while Shoemark rode 9 winners in his stay.
Murphy was in the winner's stall first when he piloted Benbatl to win the Hampton Court Stakes, after the pair finished 5th in the recent English Derby.
Murphy was animated in the saddle after passing the post as he claimed his first Royal Ascot winner.
“I don’t celebrate very often, but that one meant the world to me,” said the jockey. “It builds up in your mind and you’re just trying to get it out of the way and the monkey off your back. It’s fantastic to do it," Murphy said.
“He travelled like the best horse in the race because he was the best horse in the race.
Then in the last on the card on Day 3 of the famed carnival, Atty Persse chalked up another landmark for Frankel as he became the stallion’s first Royal Ascot winner in the King George V Stakes, ridden by Kieran Shoemark, pictured winning here.
Shoemark was thrilled with his win.
“This really is what dreams are made of. This horse is all guts. He travels so well and he’s got such great character," he said.
“He’s done nothing wrong since he started his racing and I think he’s won quite easy. It’s fantastic.”
Pics by Reuters
Jaw-dropping stakes win
[22 Feb 19]
An ice-cold, nerves of steel ride by jockey Brett Prebble allowed Embrace Me to unleash a jaw-dropping display to claim the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night. After easing back to last from the widest draw, Prebble threaded his way through the field to record the stunning stakes success.
more...
Tower-ing performance from Savabeel gelding
[19 Feb 19]
Tower Road showed fighting qualities that will hold him good stead for his future racing to secure his maiden victory at Seymour on Tuesday. Sent out a $2 favourite, the son of Savabeel shot to the lead and was then challenged strongly inside the final 100m before kicking to hold a small margin on the line.
more...
Filly Embraces Valley Black-type test
[18 Feb 19]
Danny O’Brien took the opportunity to let Embrace Me have another feel of Moonee Valley on Monday ahead of Friday night’s Group III Typhoon Tracy Stakes.
more...