Inscribe (left) and Colin Keane getting the better of Lucky Mistake© Photo Healy Racing
On the day when Colin Keane was crowned champion Flat jockey for the first time at Naas, he teamed up with boss Ger Lyons to take the Kildare Post Handicap aboard the well-backed Inscribe
The absence of The Last Indian due to coughing contributed to his price crashing from 100/30 into 6/4 before racing, and the son of Harlan’s Holiday eventually went off the 11/8 favourite.
The American-bred won over a mile at Gowran Park last month, and coped well with the step up here to 1m2f.
Keane, who would later complete a double on the day and bring his tally for the season to 100 winners, produced the gelding to challenge inside the final furlong leading close home for a neck verdict over Lucky Mistake Rickrack was a further three lengths adrift in third.
Lyons said, “This horse was put away in case we needed him for Colin. We didn’t need him and debated whether we would run or save him for the (Irish) Lincoln. His first race next year will probably be the Lincoln.”
The Dunsany trainer reflected on Keane’s title winning season saying, “I know how popular Colin is but to see all the support here today for him is great. I wanted everyone to be here and be part of this today because it’s historic.
“It’s a huge achievement for anybody to be champion jockey in Ireland but to be champion jockey and not be part of one of the main teams is huge. It’s all credit to Colin and I’m delighted for him.
“Colin winning the jockeys’ championship is the biggest moment in my career, and I just love the way he’s carried himself throughout the whole thing.
“The media have played their part in this as well and it’s kept the final couple of months of the season very interesting. The Flat racing industry needs it, and it is fresh blood in. I’m delighted for him.
“It’s great that he got the Group 1 the other day (on Laganore in Italy) as well for Harvey (Tony Martin). To be champion and a Group 1 winner as well is great.”
He added, “The season has been surreal for me what with Lynne being sick as well.
“We always aim to beat our previous targets, and our figures this year are our best ever. We are on 71 winners now, and 78 for the calendar year. It’s second only to Aidan, and we are third on money.
“Our team have been consistent from start to finish, and that’s a huge credit to my staff, owners and horses. The negative is that tomorrow morning we will have to start from scratch again but I’ll be disappointed next year if we don’t beat these figures. That’s just the way I am.
“We are still on the Group 1 trail and haven’t ticked that box. It’s a bit of a stone in our shoe but you can’t do it if you don’t have the horses. We are doing our best to get them. We are buying and spending, and will stick at it.
“You are judged by Group 1 races and we aren’t on that table yet. We need to shape up on that front but we are doing our best.”
