Big Dispute winning at Killarney© Photo Healy Racing
Impressive bumper winner Big Dispute is on the comeback trail following a sales-scuppering injury last May and could be his owner Con McSweeney's first runner as a trainer.
By French Navy - the same sire of Marine Nationale, Big Dispute made all for trainer Paul O'Flynn to win a hot Killarney bumper in May from which the runner-up, third, fourth and seventh-placed horses have all won notably subsequently.
Big Dispute carries the colours of his owner Con McSweeney who reports “after Killarney, he went to the sales but pulled his hamstring. We went to Fethard Equine Hospital where we met Ger Kelly (vet) who said he pulled his hamstring, brought him home and box-rested him for six weeks.
“We then went back to Ger Kelly and he said to leave him off in a small field. He is off for eight weeks and is just returning into training now.
“If someone wants to buy him he is for sale as we are a small enough operation but if not, we'll aim him for a winners' bumper in November and see what happens.”
The Cork-based ex-amateur jockey added “we were really happy with him from a youngster and went to a schooling race in Tipperary and were blown away with what he did. We have mainly point to pointers but thought this fellow was special so took small steps to the bumper route.
“Things worked out and the form of the race is working out very well.”
Regarding his own plans for a career in training, he added “I have the application sent away and hopefully will be on the next (trainers) course. We have a small team so I'll be looking for a restricted license and we'll go from there.
“I did all the work with this horse and send him to Paul (O'Flynn) a month before he was set to run and Paul did the finishing touches.”
