RACING ROUND-UP: Kilkenny influence strong in busy week of horse racing

Kilkenny native, Shane Foley teamed up with Co Meath trainer Ian Donoghue to win the claiming race over a mile at Gowran Park on Monday, June 17 with Magnetic North.

The 6/1 shot recorded a tenth career win when scoring a half-length success over Conor Maxwell’s 3/1 favourite Play It Again Zaam. While the winner stays with Donoghue, the runner-up joins trainer Prunella Dobbs after the claiming process.

Meanwhile, Jim Bolger’s Glor Tire won her fourth race of the season when taking the nine-furlong fillies’ conditions’ race in good style. Ridden by Rory Cleary, the 15/8 chance made most of the running and scored a cosy one and a half-length success over the Kevin Coleman-trained 10/1 shot Akecheta. The Jimmy Barcoe-trained Influential Lady took the 14-furlong handicap at odds of 17/2. Ridden by Wayne Hassett, the 10-year-old made it seven career wins as she beat the Michael Grassick-trained Lilac Lady by half a length, her third win at Gowran Park.

READ MORE: Kilkenny man Dan Blanchfield fulfills ambition to ride in Punchestown – Kilkenny People Sport Podcast

On Thursday, June 20, local trainer Willie Mullins and his son Patrick combined to win the concluding amateur riders’ maiden over 15 furlong at Leopardstown with Wiliamstowndancer.

In the colours of the Blackrock Racing Syndicate, the 5/6 favourite led a furlong from the finish to beat Denis Hogan’s Benjis Benefit by a length and a half.

Piltown trainer Joseph O’Brien sent out the first and last winners at Limerick on Saturday, June 22 where he shared his success with Declan McDonogh.

Il Pellegrino took the opening seven-furlong maiden for the pair at odds of 5/2. The three-year-old skipped a few lengths clear inside the final furlong and held on to score by half a length from the Noel Meade-trained Monasterboice. Rapid Mission completed the doubles with a one and a half-length win in the concluding 12-furlong handicap. The 4/1 chance comfortably beat Ian Donoghue’s 20/1 shot Qasbaz into second place.