Swiss Army Officer and Ben Kennedy© Photo Healy Racing
Eighteen year old Ben Kennedy registered a first winner at Cork today as he steered Swiss Army Officer to win the Mallow Handicap, and credit his employer Kevin Coleman with a fourth training success.
Swiss Army Officer, a son of Swiss Spirit, was today gaining a much deserved first win having failed by a short-head twice in the past but today was clear throughout the final furlong for a length and a half win over Rafaello.
Rookie trainer Coleman later reported “Ben is with me full-time and is a Dingle man but is no relation to Jack or Paddy (Kennedy, jockeys). He came to me wanting to ride over jumps but he has ended up riding on the flat and it's a bonus for him as he is a big lad and he works very hard. He rides well.”
“He (Swiss Army Officer) is a big horse and we thought we'd be going down the bumper route but he just doesn't stay. He has been placed and I didn't think he'd ever get there as he has been unlucky.
“He was due to go Leopardstown at the end of the week but doesn't take his racing too well and I might leave him off for the year now.”
Galway Plate winning ex-jockey Coleman, a brother of leading British-based jockey Aidan Coleman, is on the look-out for more horses and added “the horses have been running well all year with plenty places and that's my fourth winner and I have eight in training.
“I'm looking for more good ones! I have enough bad ones but it makes all the difference to have a good one.
“I'm based in Carrick-On-Suir and want to be mainly flat based as the jump horses are hard work.”
