Paul Mulligan hugs son Rory following Wrecking Ball Paul's success© Photo Healy Racing
Appropriately named Wrecking Ball Paul behaved himself at Dundalk this evening to provide the Mulligan family with both a memorable and poignant success in the concluding Book Online @ DundalkStadium.com Handicap.
Winner of a Kilbeggan hurdle last June, the free-going six-year-old often bolts mid-race but today, under 17-year-old Rory Mulligan, settled in fourth, improved to lead in the home straight and finished well to neatly beat Hasten Slowly .
Winning trainer Paul Mulligan, father of the successful jockey, revealed "I want to dedicate this to Stephen Kelly, who owned a share in this horse but passed away with cancer about a month ago. It is a pity he is not here to see it, he loved the craic with him and went racing all the time.”
Regarding Wrecking Ball Paul, he added “he is very hard to ride and doesn't even walk slow! He is really awkward.
“This means a lot for a small yard, for that young lad (Rory, son) and my other son Ben who is leading him up and rides him all the time. The horse is settling with age and has a bit of ability.
"The last couple of times he ran he missed the break and has dropped in the weights as well. He can handle today's grade. We have 12 in, about seven riding out and have a couple of nice half brother's of his which are big and backward so we let them off.”
Regarding son Rory, who is apprenticed to trainer Johnny Murtagh and was riding his second winner, he added “he went to Johnny Murtagh and he gave him his first winner, a second and third from first three rides. Fair play to Johnny as he has given him a chance."
Quotes from Michael Graham
