Focus Of Attention and Donnacha O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
The recently formed Joseph O'Brien Racing Club got off to the perfect start when Focus Of Attention landed the second division of the Race Displays Handicap at Fairyhouse.
The Intense Focus filly was sent to post the 11/8 favourite for the six-furlong contest but was faced with a wall of horses early in the straight.
Donnacha O'Brien had to bide his time but she got her gap a furlong from home and soon scooted clear to record a two-and-three-quarter length success.
“I just had to wait for the gaps but she was fairly well handicapped so once I did get there she quickened up nicely,” said the winning rider.
“She seems to have plenty of pace and I'm very happy with her. She had a little look when she got there so hopefully there is more to come.”
Journalist and At The Races pundit Kevin Blake is behind the formation of the club and he said:-
“It's a brilliant start as we only launched it two weeks ago. All the lads here are the early birds.
“It's about getting people involved at a very affordable level and getting a great experience for that.
“There are lots of opportunities there for people with syndicates but they tend to cost a fair bit more to get involved in, have upkeep costs and you are committed in.
“With this it's a one off membership fee of €500 for the year, less than a tenner a week, and you're involved in at least three horses for the full year with no extra money at all going in.
“Hopefully we can get a few winners and we've had a great start here. We have another runner at Leopardstown tomorrow evening in Subjudice.
“The whole aim of it is to give people the opportunity to be involved in a big yard with well-bred horses, give them plenty of action and hopefully a real good ownership experience in the hope that they will increase their interest and maybe step up in to a syndicate, partnership or maybe even sole ownership.
“If we can keep up this kind of momentum we will be alright.”
