Pat Breen & O'Donnell with Apache Gold © Photo Healy Racing
Apache Gold gave both trainer Pat Breen and jockey Pat O'Donnell their first taste of success when scoring in the apprentice handicap at Gowran Park.
The 12/1 shot made all in the mile contest and stuck on well inside the final furlong to land the spoils. Happy Anniversary finished best but could only get within a half length of the winner, while 3/1 favourite Irish Reel was held in third.
It was a significant improvement from the winner, who had shown little in three maiden starts and had faded after making the running on his handicap debut at Limerick last month.
There had been some support for him this morning as he traded as big as 18/1.
16-year-old O'Donnell is attached to Tommy Stack's yard and was having his ninth ride on the track after partnering 30 pony winners.
He is the son of Pat O'Donnell, who trained Chance Coffey to win the Coral Cup at Cheltenham in 1995.
Breen trains outside Dungarvan in Co. Waterford and it was only his third runner, having taken out the licence at the end of March:-
"It's great to clock up a winner. We are normally point-to-point people but we have four for the track. He's the only one for the Flat at the moment.
"I'm also a postman in Mallow. It's a bit mad I know. I start very early!
"He was a small bit rusty last time but stuck at it well and the young lad gave him a very good ride.
"He can be a small bit keen so he did a good job on him."
(On course reporting by Alan Magee)
