Edwulf Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup winner
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Tower Bridge winner Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice H´dle (Grade 1)
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28.02
Rhinestone entered in the Weatherbys champion bumper at the Cheltenham festival
Joseph has 4 new horses Joe the Crow, Aquarian, Maifitz's Madonna & Vinnie the Hoddie & 2 new owners five guys and a striker syndicate & Martin O'Sullivan
Joseph has a new 2 year old filly by War Command
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28.02
Weights have been unveiled for the H'caps at Cheltenham :-
Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Vieux Morvan 10-7
Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – Us and Them 10-7, Mischievious Max 10-6
Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – Grey waters 9-13
Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Vieux Morvan 10-8
Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – Ivanovich Gorbatov – 11-4, Tigris River 11-3, Le Richebourg 11-1, Us and Them 10-6, Mischievious Max 10-5
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle – Early Doors 11-7, Us and them 11-1, Thermistocles 10-6
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Vieux Morvan 10-8
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26.02
Arkwrisht given 10st 6lbs in the Leinster National 11th March.
Joseph has new owners HLT Partnership owners of Uncle Henry
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26.02
Edwulf on course for the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Joseph O'Brien has confirmed Edwulf firmly on course for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup following his heroic success in the Irish equivalent earlier this month.
The JP McManus-owned gelding produced a fairytale comeback to take the Irish Gold Cup at the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown, having come close to death when collapsing in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last March.
Speaking at a Festival press event at Naas on Sunday, O'Brien reported his charge in fine form ahead of the blue riband on March 16th, for which he is a general 25-1 shot.
O'Brien said: "It's an unbelievable story, for him to come back and do what he's done.
"The Gold Cup is the plan. He's very well since Leopardstown and it is a wide open Gold Cup.
"He's well entitled to take his chance and there's no reason why he can't pick up some prize-money.
"We'll try and get him there in one piece."
Reflecting on the drama that unfolded at last year's Festival, the trainer added: "Basically it was a neurological episode. The initial thoughts weren't good and we were just hoping he'd survive.
"The vets say it's no more likely to happen to him again as it is for any other horse in any other race.
"The lads in the yard have done a great job with him."
O'Brien could have between "six and eight" runners at the showpiece meeting.
Tower Bridge, who also struck Grade One gold at the Dublin Racing Festival, is set to contest one of the staying novice hurdles, while Rhinestone is a potential Champion Bumper candidate.
"Tower Bridge is in the Ballymore, but we might supplement him for the Albert Bartlett," said O'Brien.
"It's probably 60-40 we'll go to the Albert Bartlett, but the ground will be the thing. If it looks like it's drying out he'll be better going three miles, whereas if it was getting softer he maybe wouldn't.
"Rhinestone might run in the Champion Bumper. He ran very well at the Dublin Racing Festival.
"We have a few in the handicaps but we'll wait until the weights come out on Wednesday and go from there."
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25.02
One of Joseph's NH sales horses from 2017 has just been named - Glocca Mora
Speak Easy 3rd Naas 3.10 (Grade 2)
Arkwrisht 7th Naas 2.40
Drole D'artiste 12th Play With The Wind 6th & Smoking Gun 9th Naas 1.40
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23.02
High Susie 8th Dundalk 8pm
Irish Minister 2nd & Tagle 7th Dundalk 7pm
Dream Point 4th Dundalk 6pm
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22.02
Possibles for the handicap races at Cheltenham in March :-
Ultima H'cap Chase - Vieux Morvan
Coral Cup - Mischievious Max, Us and Them
Fred Winter Juv. Hurdle - Grey Waters
Brown Advisory Plate Chase - Vieux Morvan
County Hurdle - Ivanovich Gorbatov, Le Richebourg, Mischievious Max, Tigris River, Us and Them
Martin Pipe Hurdle - Mischievious Max,Thermistocles, Us and Them
Johnny Henderson - Vieux Morvan
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21.02
Ancient Empire sold
Alighting 3rd Punchestown 3.05
Edwulf given 11st 8lbs to carry if he contests the Irish Grand National
Themistocles 5th Punchestown 2.30
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20.02
Border Control 5th Clonmel 2.20
Drole D'artiste bought by Joseph at Tattersalls Ireland Sale 2016 pencilled in to run on Sunday
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19.02
Paparazzi 2nd Kempton 7.20
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19.02
Joseph in no rush with Edwulf
Joseph O'Brien reports Edwulf in good heart two weeks on from his heroic victory in the Irish Gold Cup but a decision on his participation at Cheltenham will not be made until closer to the Festival.
The JP McManus-owned gelding produced a fairytale comeback to take the feature contest at the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival, having come close to death when collapsing at Prestbury Park last March.
Not surprisingly, O'Brien is taking a cautious approach with the nine-year-old and will see how he is closer to the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup before committing him to a challenge.
"He seems to have come out of the race well," said O'Brien.
"I'll have to speak to Frank (Berry) and JP and see what the plan is. Obviously if he was to go to Cheltenham, the Gold Cup is the obvious race for him.
"To be honest, the most important thing with him was to see how he was a couple of weeks afterwards.
"He's entered in those races so we don't have to make that decision for another two weeks really.
"We'll see what the ground is like and see what our other options are. There are plenty of things we can do with him if we don't go there."
The O'Brien-trained Tower Bridge is firmly on course for Cheltenham but despite holding an entry in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, he could still be supplemented for the Albert Bartlett over three miles.
He was a shock 25-1 winner of the Grade One Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out.
"He's entered in the Ballymore and we might think about supplementing him for the Albert Bartlett," said O'Brien.
"If he's well, he'll go to Cheltenham for one of the races. Whether it's the two-five or the three-mile, that will be decided closer to the time when we get a feel of what might be running in the two-five and other things.
"Obviously he's Flat-bred and that's probably the reason I didn't have him entered in the three-miler originally, but he looks to stay very well.
"He looked to stay very well in his bumpers, also, and has a very good attitude.
"His jumping has improved considerably with each race and you'd have to say, on the whole, he was very good in Leopardstown.
"He should be better on better ground, I'd imagine, as well. He won a couple of bumpers very impressively on good ground.
"He's a big, good-looking sort, so he's an exciting horse."
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18.02
Marlbrook 9th Navan 2.55
Derby De Thaix 6th Navan 1.50
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18.02
Speak Easy pencilled in for Thurles
Speak Easy could take a drop in class in the Grade Three Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles on Thursday.
Joseph O'Brien's charge was pitched into top-level company on only his second racecourse outing at Naas last month and was far from disgraced when finishing fifth behind Next Destination.
The Beneficial gelding made a big impression on his racecourse bow when scoring at Navan, but O'Brien feels it may have been asking too much to go straight for a Grade One after that win.
He said: "Nothing is confirmed yet but there is a chance he would run there (Thurles). He's in good form.
"We pitched him into the deep end in a Grade One the last day and probably, in hindsight, it wasn't the right thing to do.
"He seems well and there is a chance he might run at Thurles."
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16.02
Song Of The Sky 8th Dundalk 9pm
Los Alamos 7th Dundalk 8.30
Zaofu Dundalk 8th 8pm
Art Nouvelle 6th Dundalk 7.30
Bachelor 2nd Newcastle 7.15
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15.02
Joseph buys the top lot at Tattersalls Cheltenham Ireland Sale Dlauro
Joseph has 2 new horses Gold Seal & Achiever
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13.02
Edwulf is allocated 11st 9lbs, Vieux Morvan allocated 9st 12lbs in the Grand National at Aintree 14th April
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11.02
Choungaya 3rd Punchestown 4.50
Lone Wolf 3rd Punchestown 2.40
High Sparrow Wins & On The Mend 7th Punchestown 2.40
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10.02
High Sparrow wins on hurdles debut
High Sparrow (left)
By
Thomas Weekes
Joseph O'Brien is enjoying an incredibly successful winter spell and the Melbourne Cup winner registered his fifth success in February when his High Sparrow landed the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown today.
O'Brien, whose Rekindling won the southern hemisphere's biggest race in November, bagged two Grade 1 wins at last weekend's Dublin Racing Festival. Those included Irish Gold Cup winner Edwulf and Tower Bridge, who won a top level novice hurdle under High Sparrow's jockey J.J. Slevin.
Limerick Christmas bumper winner High Sparrow today beat Caltex by a length and a half and afterwards trainer O'Brien stated “he tries and he's a tough little fella. He looked beaten in Limerick and he came back and it was the same again today.
“He jumped well on the whole, he missed a couple here and there, but he'll come on. I'm delighted for all the lads and he's a fun horse for them going forward.
“He should stay further as well and we'll see how he comes out of it and look for something in a month or six weeks.
“He could go up in trip or even a stronger run race would probably suit him and JJ was delighted with him.”
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09.02
Boragh Steps 2nd Dundalk 7.30
Zaofu 2nd Dundalk 6pm
Tagle 7th & Highly Approved wins Dundalk 5.30
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09.02
Highly Approved breaks her Maiden
Highly Approved By Thomas Weekes
The Joseph O'Brien trained, 58 rated Highly Approved got off the mark at the eighth attempt when landing the opening Dundalk Business Club 2018 Maiden at Dundalk today, scoring under jockey Wayne Lordan.
The E4,000 foal purchase and half-sister to four winners today scored a three parts of a length win over Luna's Luck.
Lordan later said "she had been running very consistent. Her early form was good enough to win it, and back to six wasn't a problem. She was drawn a bit wide but she jumped good and I was able to get a good position.
"I'm delighted for the owners (Ol Stock Racing from Kerry, Galway and Dublin). They are a nice bunch of fellas and they will enjoy tonight."
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08.02
6 x 2 Year old's Just named Buckhurst, Millswyn, Clarendon, Pasley, Ozone & Delgany
1x 3 year old Colt Just Named & New Owner Sharpshooter & Mrs J Magnier
Chateau Conti now owned by Rugby and Racing Syndicate
Joseph has a new horse Derby De Thaix
Leave Your Mark 5th Thurles 5pm
Border Control 6th Thurles 3:50
Denwork 3rd Los Alamos 5th Thurles 2:45
Oathkeeper 9th Thurles 1.40
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07.02
Camile PU Fairyhouse 3.20
Imperial Way 5th & Apparition 7th Fairyhouse 2.45
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06.02
Joseph bought 1 lot at Tattersalls UK sale on 01.02 Wine List
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06.02
Joseph's 3 lots sold at Goffs Ireland today :-
Lot 55 Coogee bought by Frank Fruhmann for €1,000
Lot 56 Uncle Henry bought by Fattern Bloodstock for €26,000
Lot 57 Shenzi bought by Martin McGuane for €1,200
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05.02
Joseph has been able to give Edwulf a clean bill of health
Joseph O'Brien has been able to give Edwulf a clean bill of health after his fairytale win in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old is lucky to be alive after collapsing in the closing stages of the JT McNamara National Hunt Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival.
With the final race on the card that day delayed by 10 minutes as he was being treated, Edwulf was eventually moved off the course before being loaded into the horse ambulance.
He was transferred to an equine hospital near Tewkesbury where he was nursed back to health before going back to Ireland two weeks later and eventually returning to training.
"Edwulf is very good, thankfully," O'Brien told Press Association Sport.
"It was extraordinary what the vets did to help him at Cheltenham and the lads in the yard, they all deserve a huge amount of credit.
"There was never a plan. All the time we were just going to see how he was all along, but there was no plan to do anything with him.
"He looked very well and seemed in very good form, but even when he came back into training, it wasn't a certainty that he was going to even run again.
"It was literally just step by step all the way and he kept ticking all the boxes.
"All his work was good, he was in great form so we had no reason not to run him."
While he may have been pulled up in the Leopardstown Christmas Chase on his first run back, he showed enough to connections that he was worth persevering with in top company and they were rewarded in the best possible style.
O'Brien said: "We weren't thinking of winning a Grade One, we just wanted to get him back racing as he was a lightly-raced horse.
"It would have been a shame to have him stood in a field for the rest of his life when he could have been doing what he loves to do.
"It was a wonderful day, but it really is a credit to everyone who has worked with him along the way.
"Derek (O'Connor) gave him a wonderful ride. He believed in the horse and has a great association with him.
"I'll have to talk to JP and Frank (Berry, racing manager) and see what they say, but I'd love Derek to ride him if he goes to the Gold Cup, anyhow."
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04.02
Landofhopeandglory UR & Vieux Morvan 2nd Leopardstown 4.10
Edwulf Wins Leopardstown 3.35 Grade 1
Early Doors 9th & Le Richebourg 8th Leopardstown 1.50 Grade 1
Grey Waters 3rd Leopardstown 1.15 Grade 1
Dawn In The Park 10th Leopardstown 12.40
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04.02
Edwulf wins the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup
Big outsider Edwulf won a dramatic renewal of the Unibet Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown under amateur rider Derek O'Connor for Joseph O'Brien.
In what was a tremendous training performance -Edwulf nearly died at last season's Cheltenham Festival - O'Brien has somehow managed to coax him back to his best.
There were plenty of thrills and spills during the race, with Killultagh Vic jumping the last in front only to sprawl on landing.
Anibale Fly also took a crashing fall, while Our Duke seemed to be back-pedalling when he made a mistake at the second-last. Valseur Lido never threatened either.
Thankfully, all horses returned unscathed.
Djakadam was prominent throughout but gave best on the run to the last where Outlander took over.
The Leopardstown specialist Outlander looked sure to add another Grade One but O'Connor had other ideas as 33-1 chance Edwulf got on top close home and won by a neck.
Djakadam ended up finishing third, another 10 lengths away.
Edwulf, a one-time notoriously bad jumper, pulled out more on the run-in to score a thoroughly unlikely neck win.
An understandably chuffed trainer O'Brien later reported “he (Edwulf) ran out of oxygen and basically collapsed and fainted and was on the ground for the guts of half an hour. The vets were always confident he'd be fine though, as it was basically exhaustion as the race was over an extreme distance and he made a mistake which knocked the stuffing out of him.
“All the vets did such a good job with him and everyone at Martinstown did so well too. He came back to us and I can't quite believe it! It's been a long road for him.
“He pulled up here at Christmas when Derek said he just got tired with him although he gave him a nice feel and just blew up. He thought he'd improve for the race and he was right!
“Derek is an unbelievable horseman and gets on great with this fellow.
“I suppose we'll think about the Gold Cup now but we'll see how he comes out of this. It's not too often you get a horse good enough to run in a Gold Cup so we'll think about Cheltenham if he comes out of this race well.
“It's been an unbelievable weekend for us and for everyone as Leopardstown have done an unbelievable job with this (weekend) and it can only get bigger and better from here.”
Winning owner McManus, winning the famous race for the fourth time, added “we had thought about possibly leaving him live out his days in retirement at Martinstown but everyone has done a marvelous job getting him back to today.
“Joseph wanted to run him here and did said before today 'don't be surprised if he runs a big race'.
“He gave him the perfect ride and I think Derek is as good as any of the professionals — I'd take him any day.
“I know it's not good for the punters but I'm delighted that everybody connected with the horse and I'm very excited.
“Seeing him on the racecourse is a real bonus and winning is an extra bonus; hopefully he can run in the Gold Cup now and I think Cheltenham will suit him but I'll leave that decision to Joseph.”
Jockey Derek O'Connor added “the race went picture-perfect and he was travelling beautifully and gave me a great feel. I wasn’t sure what I had left at the third last but then he just came alive.
“We thought he would never race again after Cheltenham last year but Mr McManus, John Halley, Ger Kelly and all the veterinary team and Joseph have nursed him back.
“He got back for a nice run here at Christmas and he’s after improving no end since. Today is a fairytale and that’s a fairytale horse. He has tremendous heart and just doesn’t know when he is beaten. He’s as tough as nails.
“I’m a bit emotional about the whole thing as I didn’t think I would be riding him again after Cheltenham last March.”
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03.02
Joseph & JJ land a Grade 1 shock
Jetz leads over the last with Tower Bridge challenging near side
By Alan Magee
JJ Slevin partnered his first Grade 1 winner as Tower Bridge stunned punters in the opening race of the Dublin Racing Festival when recording a 25/1 shock in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.
Fabulous Saga adopted his usual front-running role and had the field stretched going down the back straight for the final time.
However the well-backed 7/4 favourite was reeled in after the penultimate flight, and a line of horses were in contention at the last. Tower Bridge challenge on the outer, and just got up in the final strides to pip Jetz by a head, with Carter McKay two and a half lengths back in third.
Joseph O’Brien, “He was a good bumper horse and never jumped a hurdle in Down Royal one day and then jumped better the last day here. I think he only missed the first today.
“To be honest we were hoping to just get some prize-money today and go back and win our maiden in a couple of weeks. It’s nice that he’s done that today, and he should be better on better ground.
“He picked up from the second last and galloped all the way to line. I’m delighted for JJ who does a great job for us and gave him a great ride.”
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02.02
Downdraft Wins & Remmy D 11th Dundalk 7.30
Aibell 10th & Palace Guard 7th Dundalk 7pm
Uncle Henry 5th Dundalk 5.30
Zaofu 3rd Dundalk 5pm
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02.02
Downdraft wins for Joseph and Donnacha
Downdraft and Donnacha O'BrienIn the colours of rugby legend Ronan O'Gara, Downdraft pleased his many backers when coming home in front at odds of 10/11 in the Ready Mixed Concrete Maiden at Dundalk.
The Camelot colt was making it third time lucky for the O'Brien brothers, Joseph and Donnacha, and the latter kept it simple from the front here.
Though Cockalorum stuck with Downdraft well, he was never going to beat him, and a length and a quarter split them at the finish.
"It was straight-forward and he's not a bad horse. I think he'll be better over further again," said the winning rider.
"If he stays a mile-and-a-quarter he's probably not a bad horse at all. I think he'll step up in trip whatever he does and he'll probably see what kind of mark he gets. I'll leave that to Joseph but I think he's a nice horse."
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02.02
Joseph's 2 lots sold at Tattersalls UK today:-
Lot 224 Extremely sold for 2,000 gns to Panagiotis Kassis
Lot 261 Remember The Days for 21,000 gns to Jedd O'Keeffe
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01.02
Joseph has a new horse Denwalk
Joseph has new owners Rugby and Racing Syndicate
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01.02
Early Doors heads Joseph's novice hurdle team at Cheltenham
Entries are out for the 4 novice hurdles at Cheltenham Joseph has entries in each:-
Supreme Novices - Early Doors Le Richebourg Us and Them
Ballymore Novices- Early Doors Le Richebourg Thermistocles Tower Bride
JCB Triumph - Apparition Grey Waters
Albert Bartlett - Thermistocles