Booyea and Gavin Ryan © Photo Healy Racing
Dual Irish Grand National winning trainer Thomas Gibney proved that he is a man for the big occasion under either code when sending out Booyea to land the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap at the Curragh.
Despite picking up 9lb for winning a four-runner rated race on his reappearance, the gelding proved the handicapper right when staying on strongly to win this well contested premier handicap under Gavin Ryan.
For much of this race it appeared as though the majority were just playing for places as Verhoyen and May Night went head to head up front.
Opening up a sizeable lead at halfway, the pair were still clear as the runners approached the two furlong pole. Booyea went third on the rail shortly after, giving chase inside the final furlong.
With May Night the first of the leading duo to crack, Booyea reeled in Verhoyen late on, before holding the final challenge from No More Porter
Thomas Gibney said: “The easiest part was looking at him out there. He's a real handful as you can see with him coming in there now. We had some job tacking him up.
“I wasn't on the ball today, I should have had earplugs or something on him. He got really upset before the race and I honestly thought that was it, race over.
“Fair play to him he's a good horse., he's tough.
“He's very revved, that's the way he is. He actually hasn't been that revved in a long time, last year he was very difficult but he settled down a lot and we thought we were past all that.
“He got very revved up today but I suppose it is Derby Day. Like I say I just wasn't thinking ahead.
“It fantastic, we had a winner at this meeting on the Saturday last year. To have a winner at the Curragh is fantastic anyway and on Derby Day is even extra.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
