Cork 21 May 2024Barretstown and Billy Lee win for trainer Conor O Dwyer from Doctor Grace Healy Racing© Photo Healy Racing
Billy Lee made all the running aboard the Conor O'Dwyer trained Barretstown to run out a game winner of Division l of the Racing Again June 14th Handicap at Cork.
A dual winner on the polytrack at Dundalk, the six-year-old was getting his head in front for the first time in 25 starts on turf.
Sent straight to the front upon exiting the stalls, Lee set a steady pace up front, before gradually building it up. Favourite Pascalia looked a real threat when challenging over a furlong out but could find no extra inside the last.
Having overcome that latter rival, Barretstown then had to be brave to fight off the late burst of Doctor Grace who powered down the outside under Shane Foley.
Despite having built up momentum, the latter filly was unable to find a way past the eventual winner who held on in determined fashion to score by a neck.
Conor O'Dwyer said: "He was bought as a little fun horse and he won first time for Hugo and Anne in Dundalk but had never won on the grass, so tonight was a breakthrough.
"Billy (Lee) was superb and I said to him he'll ride for a long time before he gives one a better ride. I love getting him when I can.
"We'll keep to those sort of races and over that distance and hopefully we can pick up another one. He won't jump a hurdle but will go on for the summer.
"Hugo and Anne are unbelievable owners to have, they get a good kick out of it, go everywhere to see their horses and we'd be lost without them."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
