Winning owners enjoy 'special day' on return

Darragh McDonogh and Dominic Murphy were the first winning owners to attend an Irish racemeeting since March and enjoyed a “special day” as their Blackjack Boy gave jockey Mark McDonogh a first winner in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, the second race at Listowel today.

Owner-trainers have had winners in the past few months but today's meeting was the first since racing was stopped in March where 'fully-fledged' owners were allowed attend.

On-course bookmakers are not yet permitted but Blackjack Boy had supporters elsewhere and having opened 7/1 this morning, was returned the 11/2 joint-favourite, before scoring a two and a half lengths win over Happy Company

Part-owner Darragh McDonogh is an uncle of winning jockey Mark McDonogh, 19, and later stated “there are three of us in the horse; myself, Dominic Murphy and Mark's father, also Mark.

“To win is unbelievable and for Mark junior to ride his first winner on our horse is a special day.

“We come to Listowel every year and normally we arrive Thursday and go home on Sunday but today is strange.

“We went for lunch in Listowel and were considering staying down today if the horse won, so at least we have decisions to make!

“It is a strange atmosphere but they are doing the best they can. They left it open and we are all trying to do our bit to stay safe and we're back racing so we'll take it.”

McDonogh added “Dominic's father had horses and he ran in Dominic's colours today and my dad (owner/trainer Michael McDonagh) has horses as well.”

Winning trainer Eric McNamara was added “he is a nice horse and I'm delighted for Mark McDonogh (jockey) who claimed 4lbs as he hadn't ridden a winner. His father is away and I'm delighted for him and the whole family; Mark is a lovely young fellow and is a very nice rider.

“Hopefully he is a horse who keeps improving and he loves a bit of nice ground being by Presenting. Hopefully it is onwards and upwards.”