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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

McGivern trains a '1-2' in Premier Handicap at Cork

Fri 26th Jul 2024, 19:11

Kendall Roy leads stablemate So MajesticKendall Roy leads stablemate So Majestic
© Photo Healy Racing

Katie McGivern registered a first big-race success today as Kendall Roy led home stablemate So Majestic to complete a notable 1-2 for the breeze-up consignor-cum-trainer, in Cork's Doneraile Premier Handicap.

Kendall Roy was McGivern's first winner last September and the Rosslare trainer - whose main business is selling young flat horses, sent out both her winning horses todate to contest the €45,000 race.

Winner Kendall Roy, under Declan McDonogh, raced behind the leaders, led over a furlong out and held stablemate So Majestic - which had been held up in rear, by 1.25 lengths.

McGivern reported “I felt sorry for Chris (Hayes, jockey of runner-up So Majestic) as I didn't know which horse to pick. I thought the quicker five furlongs and the faster ground would suit So Majestic more but both horses ran blinders. I didn't know which horse I wanted to win!

“Kendall Roy was too lazy the last day but Declan (McDonogh) was on the ball today and had him tuned in. Even though he broke the track record over five furlongs at Windsor, I thought he might need stepping up to six as he is so lazy.

“Kendall Roy is a fat, gross horse and while I don't give him hardship at home, he wants loads of running, all the time. He is in at Goodwood next week so whether or not he'll run, I don't know. As gross as he is, he is a next year's horse.”

She added “both horses came from breeze up sales and I ended up buying them back; So Majestic was the second-fastest in her sale and I had loved Kendall Roy since he was a yearling and his mind was always so good.

“My main game is the breeze-ups and I won't diverge from that, but I have another few two-year-olds which I am left with. That's the only reason I ever got out my trainers' license, it is a hobby and is bringing a lot of joy to our household at the minute.”

1st
5/2Fav
Tote €3.50 €1.20
2nd
1.25L
10/1
€2.50
3rd
0.75L
11/2
€2.10
4th
nose
11/2
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.