Trainer Oxx strikes again in Ardilaun Hotel Stakes

Breda Ryan presents the winning trophy to Pat Downes, Racing Manager for the Aga Khan, after Tarana won the Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes, on the first day of the September at Ballybrit. Also in photo are, John Oxx, trainer; John Ryan, General Manager, Ardilaun Hotel; Terry Cunningham, Chairman, Galway Race Committee; and Declan McDonogh, winning jockey.

placeholder image — Breda Ryan presents the winning trophy to Pat Downes, Racing Manager for the Aga Khan, after Tarana won the Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes, on the first day of the September at Ballybrit. Also in photo are, John Oxx, trainer; John Ryan, General Manager, Ardilaun Hotel; Terry Cunningham, Chairman, Galway Race Committee; and Declan McDonogh, winning jockey.

THE John Oxx yard lacks its traditional firepower these days, but the Curragh-based trainer’s successful association with the Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes, the feature event of the Galway September meeting, continued at Ballybrit on Monday.

Well-backed 7/2 chance, Tarana was giving Oxx an 11th triumph in the Oyster Stakes when quickening clear under Declan McDonagh for a decisive two and a quarter length victory from Jim Bolger’s Altesse in the one mile, four furlong contest now confined to fillies.

Monday’s card also saw a first and last race double for the champion trainer and jockey combination of Aidan and Joseph O’Brien as Archangel Raphael (11/10 favourite) stayed on well to land the opening Donnelly’s of Barna Maiden before newcomer Vivat Rex (4/1) displayed a good turn of foot in taking the concluding Sean Cleary Memorial Maiden.

Iggy Madden’s Cairdiuil made a gallant attempt to emulate his success at the summer festival, but though Pat Smullen’s mount had the run of the race he was unable to hold off the late challenges of 11/1 winner Shukhov and Moonmeister in the Maggie’s May Loughrea Handicap.

The Irish Stallion Farms Maiden saw the Andrew Oliver trained Could Should Would build on two promising efforts at the Curragh for a snug win over the strong-finishing Brown Bee; while Clondaw Warrior atoned for a surprise recent defeat in Roscommon when finishing like a train to take the Galway Apprentice Handicap.

Loughrea owner Herb Stanley saw his colours carried to success as the Tracey Collins trained So Sensible benefited from a step back in distance to comfortably land the James P. Cunningham Electrical Handicap under Pat Smullen. Stanley also bred the strongly supported 9/2 winner.

Tuesday’s action attracted a decent attendance for the all-National Hunt card but the quickening ground led to a number of withdrawals. It proved a good day for Athenry-based handler Val O’Brien who pulled off a 16/1 surprise with bottom weight Valours Minion in the O’Leary Insurances Handicap Hurdle.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.