Debut bumper win for Griffin's Azorian

Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud completed a good afternoon's work at Leopardstown today when his Azorian landed the concluding kieranoconnellracing.com (Pro/Am) Bumper to add to the success of Sir Des Champs in the earlier Hennessy Gold Cup.

Ridden by Nina Carberry, the son of Westerner eventually proved two and a half lengths too strong for runner-up Milan Bound and provided trainer Eoin Griffin with his first winner since last September.

Griffin later stated “that's my first horse for Gigginstown and it's nice to get one on the board for them. We've been waiting a while for one like that and I think he's a nice horse.

“He won his point to point well and also did it well today. I'll talk to Michael and Eddie (O'Leary) but I'd say that might be enough for the year. I'm pleased and relieved with the way he did it as we've been excited about him for a while. He was ready to run last spring but he was too immature and he is still a big baby.

“In his point to point he didn't settle a yard and Nina said when he hit the front today he didn't know what to do. He has a lot of maturing to do and we'll take it one step at a time with him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson