Whitey a special winner for Maguire In 1993 Adrian Maguire rode the Galway Plate winner, General Idea, for Dermot Weld, and today his son Finian (3rd in the amateur handicap on Monday night on Fire Fighter) steered the odds-on favourite Whitey O' Gwaun to victory in the Grab A Grand With Tote (Q.R.) Maiden. Sarah Lynam was taken to hospital, reportedly conscious, for lower back x-rays, following a nasty spill from Break My Mind, in the opening half of this mile and a half event. Maguire meanwhile, eased the victorious grey to front over two furlongs out and he was clear from over a furlong out on the way to an easy fourteen length win over second favourite Little King Robin. Weld said: "He's a small horse and I knew I wanted to claim off him. "I've observed the rider and he's an exceptionally nice guy – a fine young man. "I was very impressed by his professionalism before the race." Meanwhile Weld also reported: "Tandem, the horse in the first (finished third when favourite) spread a plate coming here. "The farrier did an exceptional job with him and I made Joe Banahan (starter) aware of the situation. "He trotted up 100 per cent sound before and after the race." Meanwhile Maguire explained: "They don't get much easier than that. He did it very nicely and it's something else to be riding for Dermot Weld at Galway. "I've been waiting two months for my second winner (Mm Dazzler was the first at Listowel in early June) and I was getting a bit anxious but it's special that it's come here. "I believe Mr Weld was looking for a 7Ib claimer and that Kevin O'Ryan recommended me. "I was more interested in hurling and football when I was younger but at twelve I got into pony racing and that was great experience. "I'm five foot nine – a nice bit taller than Dad." (AM & EM)
