'One more year' for Kodama following Navan winner

Trainer Takashi Kodama registered a first winner since the 2017 Irish Cambridgeshire when his Tosen Wish landed Navan's opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

The son of New Bay, today having his second start and ridden by Ronan Whelan, raced prominently, led a furlong out before staying on well to hold the persistent challenge of Neo Soul by a neck.

The Japanese's native's previous winner was Elusive Time in the 2017 Cambridgeshire at the Curragh and following today's race, reported “I rarely have a winner so I’m delighted. He’s a homebred for my main client (Takaya Shimakawa), the mare is in foal to Highland Reel and she will be shipped to Japan in two weeks time.

“We thought this was a Dundalk horse but he runs very well on soft ground. I’ll talk to the owner and rider before deciding what we do.”

He added “I’ve trained for nearly 15 years and have thought about giving up a few times but every year I say 'one more year'.

“I train on the Curragh and maybe after this winner I will train for one more year!”

Quotes from Alan Magee