Arniemac and Dylan Browne McMonagle© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Joseph O'Brien won all three of Killarney's opening races today, completing the feat in the Fexco Maiden with Arniemac (4/1) which benefitted from patient home-handling by exercise rider Michael Keoghan.
The son of Fascinating Rock raced prominently throughout and scored easily from Fernao to provide winning jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle with a double, having earlier steered O'Brien's Just An Hour to win the opener.
O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell reported “he was very, very keen when he came to us but Michael (Keoghan, also a horse physio and licensed trainer), who led him up today, has never led up for us before but rides him every day of his life.
“Honestly has made a big difference to this horse because he switches him off at home, keeps him calm and has done a brilliant job. He’s just a kind bloke and is very good with this horse."
He added “it was a good performance. He was a bit slow away on his first two runs but Dylan made sure he was going to get him out sharp today.
“He was going to make it if there was no pace but he settled nicely.
"He’s a big horse but he said he’s not slow and will stay further, definitely. Once he hit the front, he said he had a little look around but there was still plenty left. He thinks he’s above average.”
