This is what horseracing is all about. I am getting a great taste of what it is like to be a winning racehorse owner in Ireland, and I can tell you there really is no better feeling than shouting at the top of your lungs and shaking with anticipation when your pride and joy is romping down to the last in a Grade 2. We have had a double in Thurles today with Paddy O Dee winning the first in great style under the mount of Shane Jackson for owner Oliver Barden. This is our first winner for Oliver and we hope that there will be many more.
Tally Em Up put up what seemed like an easy win in the Grade 2 mares only Steeplechase today, well that’s at least how David Russell made it seem. However, at this side of the water it was very difficult to watch. I bought this mare jointly with Leigh Murphy at the Tattersalls August Sales in 2007 and although she was placed in some competitive bumpers, it took her a while to get off the mark when winning a maiden hurdle in Wexford. She is a big mare and it has taken time for her to develop into the star she most certainly is today. There will be a large pot of feed in her stable this evening and I think maybe a large feed of alcohol in our bellies by tomorrow morning!!! Well done to Mick and Leigh Murphy who are joint owners of Tally. Without Mick beside me at the sales ring, I may have backed out of our decision to purchase.
One final note would be to say a big thank you to Rosie who looks after Tally Em Up and really has a long established love for this mare, which has without any shadow of doubt, paid off.
