Cormac Doyle saddled his first winner in England, when One True King, the first horse that he has sent across the Irish Sea to run, got his head in front on the International card at Barbury.
The €40,000 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale recruit, a second-season maiden in Ireland following five unsuccessful outings, including a fifth-placed finish at Mainstown earlier in the month, proved to be a more competitive force in the Goffs UK four and five-year-old maiden on Sunday.
One of nine runners for the race that featured among 13 new races in British points specifically for four and five-year-old maidens, the cheekpiece-fitted son of Getaway made almost all of the running in the hands of James King.
Sent into the lead at the second, the four-year-old was never headed thereafter, as he quickened clear in the back straight and held on by four-and-a-half lengths from Young O’Leary.
Notably, the runner-up had also started his racing career with Doyle, failing to find success in four outings, with his latest Irish appearance seeing him pull-up at Castletown-Geoghegan in October before joining new trainer, Ian Prichard.
Graham Breen, representing the absent winning handler, was in good spirits after the win, admitting to having backed One True King at prices down from 12/1.
“I didn’t know James (King), but Charlie Poste and bloodstock agent Hamish Macauley recommended him,” beamed Graham, who confirmed the riding instructions were simply, “Win!”
The horse obviously benefitted from two recent runs in Ireland where he was well-beaten, although Graham only offered “No comment!” when asked to compare the standard of maidens in the two countries.
“We decided to give the race a try the Friday before entries closed,” he added.
“The international meeting’s a great initiative,” King said afterwards. “He had half-decent form in Ireland and the plan was to bowl along. He galloped, got into a rhythm, kept on and won with a bit up his sleeve.”
Delighted to lead up my first winner for @MonbegStables after staying @TwistonD_Equine before Barbury castle ! @Grahambreen123 pic.twitter.com/0V5FeIu9mJ
— Willy Twiston-davies (@willy_twiston) December 15, 2019
Doyle was not the only Irish handler to feature on the Barbury card with Eugene O’Sullivan sending over another numerically strong team of runners, although he had to settle for a best placing of second in the opening bumper with Fix The Bill.
The unraced 6/1 shot crossed the line one and a half lengths in arrears of Raffle Ticket having provided the 16-year-old nephew of the winning handler, Alan O’Sullivan, with a first ride in points.
The brother of reigning champion under-21 rider was also in action in the Veterans Conditions race aboard Leg Lock Luke, who had to settle for fourth in a race where stable companion, Drawn N Drank, finished in seventh under Turlough O’Connor, whilst champion lady rider, Maxine O’Sullivan, was also out of luck, with her two mounts, Military Poet and Carrigeen Star, both being forced to pull-up.
