Chief Little Hawk, near side, pips Monaasib© Photo Healy Racing
The most valuable juvenile race in Ireland this year went the way of Aidan O’Brien’s Chief Little Hawk who won a thrilling battle with Monaasib
The inaugural running of the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes saw 19 runners go to post over six furlongs, with Sloane Peterson ruled out due to the change in going.
Chief Little Hawk got a tow into the race from stall 17 and picked up strongly in the final furlong.
Monaasib raced down the centre of the track and arrived in the lead with 150 yards to go.
Chief Little Hawk made headway to lock horns with Monaasib (5/1) in the final 100 yards as the pair went on from the remainder. They both stuck to their tasks, but it was Chief Little Hawk who go the verdict by a short head. Mooneista was two and a half lengths back in third at 50/1.
Jockey Seamie Heffernan said of the 22/1 winner: “He was one of our Ascot horses and was impressive at Navan. The last day at the Curragh he ran out past the line, so I was coming here fancying him today.
“Today was his first try at six furlongs and he got it real well. There is a chance that he might get another furlong and, if he does, he’s got loads of speed to travel right.
“I thought I’d won but at Killarney the other day I thought I’d won well and it was only a nose (on So Wonderful), so maybe my eyesight is not as good as it was!
“Ballyhane Stud deserve a huge amount of praise not only for putting on this big race but also an €80,000 consolation race. It’s massive.”
Every horse in this race picked up prize money with the winner taking home €150,000.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
