PAT HEALY: With less than a fortnight to go until the Dublin Racing Festival, Brand Ambassador Pat Healy reminisces about Faugheen’s win last year, and also praises Kim Bailey on his recent Grade 1 success.
Kim Bailey
We’ve obviously had quite a quiet week in terms of live action with several meetings being called off. I’m always keeping an eye on what’s going on across the Irish Sea and there was some great action at Ascot and Haydock. First Flow was fantastic in the Clarence House at Ascot and I was thrilled for his trainer Kim Bailey. I’ve known Kim from back in the 90s and he’s a very sociable and hardworking man. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t trained a Grade 1 winner since Master Oats in 1995. It’s been well documented that he hadn’t tasted Grade 1 success for a while now as well as the fallow spell he had when he moved yards from Lambourn to Northampton. But he’s now back in Andoversford near Cheltenham and his fortunes have really changed and he’s enjoying a fantastic season.
He’s one of the longest-serving trainers in England and it was fantastic to see him net another Grade 1. Given how well his horses have been running, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he notched up another in the not too distant future. He looks to have a real machine in First Flow, and Bailey heads to Cheltenham with a live Champion Chase contender.
Faugheen
We’re not too far off the Dublin Racing Festival and it’s a meeting that’s already created some amazing moments, notably Faugheen’s win last season. There are a few days that stand out in the memory for obvious reasons and that was one of them. There was a stampede from the stands with people trying to get round to the winners’ enclosure to grab a good spot to welcome him after his win.
From my point of view, it made for fantastic photographs. The first one was the beaten jockeys Puppy Power and Mikey Fogarty patting Faugheen on the head after they’d pulled up and then there were the packed enclosures. I’d never seen so many people in the parade ring clapping and cheering. It was hairs on the back of your neck moment when he entered the winner’s enclosure under Paul Townend. He’s a horse that has really become a fan’s favourite and his win at Leopardstown last year was a moment that we’ll all remember for a lifetime.
Dublin Racing Festival
Although there won’t be fans this year, the Dublin Racing Festival is still a brilliant two days. I think it’s been placed in an ideal spot in the calendar meaning that all of the best horses can run there and then still have enough time to be ready for Cheltenham. With eight Grade 1s, it’s a fantastic weekend which will only get bigger and bigger. You just had to look at the number of people from England who came over to see what a buzz it’s already generated.
It’s now into its third year and it’s just a shame that we can’t enjoy as we’d like to. I know plenty of people have been pencilling it in as one they were going to head to Dublin for. I’d imagine many were going to stay overnight and enjoy a few drinks after racing on the Saturday before doing it all over again on the Sunday. Hopefully this will be the only year that’s not able to be the case because it’s a meeting that is growing in popularity and stature.
