Berg Bahn Rises To the Occasion

We’ve been very busy since my last update with plenty of good performances to show for the hard work. The highlight has to be BERG BAHN winning our first group race of 2010 when claiming victory in the Brownstown Stakes (Gr3) at Fairyhouse last Wednesday. In almost identical style to when she won her maiden at the same venue 12months ago, she found a sixth gear 2 out and flew up the outside to win comfortably. Berg Bahn claimed some notable scalps with this win and certainly gave us all a very nice surprise. It looks like the famous Mrs Patino colours can do no wrong at the moment. Other notable performances from the past couple of weeks came from VAMPIRE BLUES at Down Royal, SOLENT RIDGE at Naas and Sligo, BANK ON BLACK at Tipperary and WADE GILES and CLONDINNERY at The Curragh.




Vampire Blues started the ball rolling with a win in the north at the end of June for owner Sean Jones and jockey Keagan Latham. The pair ran out an easy victory in the 3yr old only 1m 2f 50-80 handicap and its looks like a jumping career may well beckon for this Azamour filly by the end of the season.




Solent Ridge performed as we hoped he would with a terrific win for new owner Chris Dineen at Naas on the 23^rd June. It was the perfect result for Chris as it was the first time he’d seen Solent run in Ireland – he should certainly start travelling more often! Not content with the 10lb hike given to him after his Naas victory, Solent then travelled to Sligo and ran away with the spoils in the 47-65 6f handicap under Emmet McNamara. The handicapper has since ensured that that will certainly never happen again by rewarding him another 15lb and leaving him with a rating of 85. A fair achievement for a horse that 6 days previous ran off a rating of 60! A bitter pill for any owner to swallow.




Bank On Black finally, and deservedly got her nose in front at Tipperary with Keagan in the saddle. A true Big Bad Bob off spring she battled on really well, and as I said in my last update we knew it would only be a matter of time before victory was hers. Next up was Ger’s favourite meeting of the year, Irish Derby weekend at the Curragh. Wade Giles produced the result that we all dared hope for with a fantastic winning performance first time out in the 1m maiden. Running in the colours of Eugene McDermot of Kennycourt stud, this son of Azamour did everything asked of him and looks to be a very exciting prospect for the future. Great to get a winner on the biggest weekend in Irish racing.




Moving onto the big day itself, and for us Clondinnery was the main attraction running in the Gr2 Railway Stakes over 6f. As usual his fan club was in place, and from what I hear they certainly boosted the Curragh’s admissions for the day. Having easily won his Listed race in Cork we were hopeful that Clondinnery would run a good race, but we were aware that we were heading into the unknown. This was a major ask stepping up to a Gr2 and taking on some of the best 2yr olds from both sides of the English Channel.




Given a front running ride by Keagan he ran a cracker and was just caught to finish 3^rd beaten by a neck. It was a really smart performance and we’re absolutely delighted for Pat and Moira Gilsenan and their very large extended family. It’s great to see how much fun and excitement Clondinnery is bringing to people both in and out of the yard.




Glenburnie Stables is looking very good at the moment, a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes and it’s only now that you can really see the changes. Obviously the gallops were the biggest change of all and one that was done out of necessity, it looks amazing and is now an incredible facility. We’ve also built a specialist showing area for owners and prospective clients. This latest addition is proving to be a great success and has been admired by everyone – lets hope it proves to be lucky. However the work is not all done and Ger is still madly in love with his digger and blue tractor, anything that can be dug up and moved has been!




So onwards and upwards, not a bad couple of weeks work at the office but still room for improvement.




Posted by Bryony

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