First flat winner for Grassick junior

Rookie trainer Michael Grassick junior registered his first flat success, and his second career win, at Down Royal today when his Texas Rock landed the Magners Berry Maiden under Niall McCullagh.

McCullagh was a fitting partner for the Grassick trained winner given the veteran jockey's long association as stable jockey for Grassick's father and namesake, who himself is now Chairman of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association.

Following the win, Grassick junior, whose Only Exception provided him with his initial jumps winner at Ballinrobe in 2013, stated “that's my first flat winner - finally!

“It means a lot to have a winner for Joe (Keeling, owner) who has been with me since the start and I also bred him myself.

“I've always liked him but he's been immature and Niall (McCullagh) said today he was still very green. The further he was going though the further he was going away.

“We were going to go to Galway on Tuesday, but came here for this race instead and I think seven furlongs is his trip. I've 10 riding out, mainly flat horses with a couple of dual-purpose ones."

Quotes from Michael Graham