Dermot Weld made racing history at Naas yesterday when setting a new record total of winners in Ireland with the success of Georgia Peach in the Victory Note EBF Maiden. The master of Rosewell House was eclipsing the previous best tally of 2,577 set by Senator Jim Parkinson in 1947.
'It is a great honour both for me and my staff. I am very proud to have achieved it,' said Weld, who was speaking by phone from Cork racecourse. He added: 'It is very appropriate that Pat (Shanahan) should ride this winner as he also partnered Zagreb to win the Irish Derby. He has been the ultimate professional over the years.'
The victory of Georgia Peach was only confirmed after a protracted stewards enquiry. The son of Pennekamp was given a strong drive by Shanahan to lead 100 yards out for a half length verdict over Factice Royal, with the gambled-on Brief Affair (16/1 to 7/1) just a neck back in third.
The enquiry was held into possible interference between the first four, with the head-on camera showing that Factice Royal swerved right in the closing stages onto the favourite Flamelight (finished fourth). Declan McDonogh, rider of Factice Royal, was given a three day suspension (August 16-18) for careless riding.
Shanahan later completed a double when the Con Collins-trained Imperial Light justified odds-on support with a workmanlike two length defeat of Knight`s Place in the Owenstown Stud F.F. Tuthill Maiden. Anthony Duffy, rider of fifth placed Nellie Gannon, was suspended for two days (August 16-17). The stewards felt he stopped riding in the closing stages, and as a result didn`t attain his best possible placing.
Collins was also in double form having saddled Greengage to take the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Series Maiden. The Green Desert filly was capably handled by Eoin Dowling, and provided the 18-year-old Kilkenny apprentice with his first winner.
