The Friday Man and Lisa O'Neill © Photo Healy Racing
The Ladies (Pro/Am) bumper saw The Friday Man (7/2) come home an easy winner in the hands of Lisa O’Neill. who subsequently announced her retirement from race-riding.
The 11/10 favourite Polo Lounge raced a bit keenly in front for Jody Townend and had nothing left when headed by the winner in the dip on the final circuit. The Friday Man ran on well to beat newcomers Moresby Buoy and New Sheriff by nine lengths and half a length.
The Kayf Tara gelding is the first foal of Grade 1-winning hurdler L’unique. He was a fifth winner of the evening for Gordon Elliott who had a four-timer at Down Royal.
O'Neill said afterwards: “I've had a great time of it. It's nice to ride another winner around Tramore on The Friday Man and Gordon's horses are flying.
“I've had fantastic support from Gordon and all his owners and it's been a brilliant career.
“It's very good of Gordon to give me a bit of ammunition to ride a winner and it's nice to ride a winner around Tramore as well.
“I've been in a very lucky position and got to ride some great horses throughout my career. I'm very privileged and really appreciate the backing that I've had throughout.
“I'm very pessimistic by nature and fancied Willie's to be honest but our horse has improved an awful lot and really handled track, he went around those bends immensely.
“He tried coming up the hill and found plenty. He's a lovely horse for the owners and hopefully he'll win plenty more going forward.”
On riding Tiger Roll to win at Cheltenham she added:- “When I seen him retire this year I knew it was my time to go as well.
“I couldn't be in Gordon's going racing and stuff if Tiger Roll wasn't there. I was privileged to ride Tiger Roll, I think I was only a passenger on the day but it was a Cheltenham festival winner and it's fantastic to have that in my back pocket.
“Gigginstown have been phenomenal throughout my career and have put so much support behind me. Without them I wouldn't be here today.
“I was lucky to ride a few Ladies Derby winners, I rode plenty of winners around Ireland and a few in England as well.
“I'm just delighted to have had the opportunity. That's 101 winners now, I said I'd just get another one on the board.
“I'm doing a master degree in sports psychology and that's taken up plenty of my time. It's been hard to balance everything but we've got this far so we'll keep going.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
