Thrilling de Bromhead Savill finish upsets Mullins’ Christmas meeting run
THE Leopardstown Christmas Festival went to horseracing’s Willie Mullins when he brought home 14 winners in four days of action on the racecourse in Dublin Ireland.
Jockey Darragh O’Keeffe comes from behind on the outside to win the Savills Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival on A Plus Tard (Image credit: Horse Racing Ireland)
The renowned Irish trainer picked up five Group 1 victories including the Racing Post Novice Chase with Franco De Port, Chacun Pour Soi in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase and in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle with Appreciate It.
He claimed the Matheson Hurdle for the third consecutive year with Sharjah as well.
Irish racehorse trainer Henry de Bromhead
However, this Christmas Festival like no other before at Leopardstown Racecourse behind closed doors will always be about the one that got away, the Grade 1, three-mile Savills Chase that Willie Mullins called “better this year than the Gold Cup in Cheltenham”. It was the one that went to that other renowned trainer, Henry de Bromhead with the young Darragh O’Keeffe aboard A Plus Tard.
“He did everything right,” said the 20-year-old jockey who ran a race behind Mullins’ Kemboy and Melon almost until the last. “I had (jockey) Paul (Townend) up in front of me. (A Plus Tard) was pinging fences and even when I got down and gave him a squeeze after jumping the second last he picked up and galloped right to the line. It was brilliant, I am absolutely over the moon.”
Jockey Paul Townend (left) performed well at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival but was outperformed in the Savills Chase
Irish horseracing trainer Willie Mullins (Image credit: Horse Racing Ireland)
The young man from Cork Ireland just two years out since his maiden race, wasn’t even aware he would be riding A Plus Tard until he saw his name on the declarations. Outclassing 14 racehorses and nine of them Grade 1, trainer Henry de Bromhead looked on as the course of the race changed with Minella Indo’s fall.
“It’s amazing how it can change,” Henry de Bromhead said just after the Savills Chase. “I was happy enough with third and then it all changed. He (A Plus Tard) stayed on so well, it was brilliant. I am delighted with (Darragh O’Keeffe) him.”
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