The Niccolai Schuster Horse Racing Club celebrate the victory of Ellie Mac© Photo Healy Racing
There were jubilant scenes in the winners’ enclosure following the bittersweet 50/1 success of Ellie Mac in the Horse And Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Court Cave filly carries the colours of the Niccolai Schuster Horse Racing Club, a group of friends and famly of the late Niccolai Schuster who was one of those tragically killed when a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California in the summer of 2015.
The longshot was also a first winner under rules for Daniel Holden (20) from Mullinavat, finishing strongly to lead on the run-in for a two and a half lengths verdict over Cask Mate Antey and 6/5 favourite Debuchet both held every chance at the last but eventually finished third and fourth respectively.
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said, “I’m just delighted for the Schuster’s. It’s such a sad story behind it but I’m delighted for them. They said that Niccolai would have dreamt of having a winner here, and also Daniel as it’s his first winner and he gave her a super ride.
“It’s one of those stories that you are delighted to hear and I’m delighted to be part of it.
“We fancied her at Navan but she hung right all the way and I was disgusted with her run there. She then ran okay at Cork until turning in on bottomless ground.”
