Image © Healy Racing
Successive wide-margin four-year-old victories on back-to-back Sundays, have thrust Brian Lawless into the spotlight, as the Wicklow native continues to make an immediate impact in his first season with a handler’s permit.
County Prospect’s 12-length success at Punchestown was followed a week later by Jessber’s Jury’s ten-length win at Nenagh, giving the Ballycrystal-based handler back-to-back four-year-old maiden winners.
“It was brilliant,” Lawless said. “Great to get two nice horses and it’s just great to be able to get the job done.”
Those victories bring his tally to three four-year-old maiden winners this term and four winners in total since he sent out his first runner as a handler in October — an impressive start for a yard in its infancy, with all four winners carrying the colours of his partner, Abbie O’Connor.
County Prospect set the tone at Punchestown on February 8th, where the son of Chanducoq travelled strongly throughout and jumped with fluency before asserting from the second-last to record a commanding 12-length success.
If that performance was authoritative, Jessber’s Jury was equally decisive at Nenagh last Sunday. The €65,000 Tattersalls Derby Sale purchase was ridden patiently towards the rear before making smooth headway approaching the straight.
Taking over before the home turn, he quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals, extending clear to win by ten lengths.
Taking over before the home turn, he quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals, extending clear to win by ten lengths.
“He’s a lovely horse,” Lawless said. “Good pedigree and just a very nice animal. Hopefully he can be a good horse now for the next man too.”
Both horses have since been sold privately, continuing an encouraging early return for the Ballycrystal yard and giving Lawless every reason to hope they can go on and perform well for their new connections.
“They’re two very nice horses,” Lawless said. “It’s our first season, but I think there’s a few other nice horses there as well.”
The recent victories build on the breakthrough success of Lola De Magny at Ballycrystal in December. The Jeu St Eloi mare made all that day, providing Lawless with his first winner as a handler. She has since finished third in a Plumpton bumper on her debut under Rules for new connections,.
Since taking out his permit, Lawless has wasted little time establishing himself. Four winners, including with three four-year-olds before mid-February is a notable achievement, particularly in a competitive division.
A former Under-21 champion rider, Lawless continues to combine training with race-riding — a dual role that is clearly paying dividends.
“Yeah, it’s great. You get a great kick out of it,” he said of riding his own winners.
Now sitting on 98 career winners between the flags, Lawless is edging towards the century milestone as a rider while simultaneously building momentum as a trainer.
“Hopefully it won’t be too long getting to the 100th winner,” he said.
Lawless’ upward trajectory shows little sign of slowing and, while reluctant to single out one individual to follow, he hinted that further ammunition remains in the locker.
“There’s definitely a couple of nice horses there to come out,” he said, with between 10 and 15 four-year-olds still to make their debuts this season.
From his first runner in October, Lawless has made an assured start to his career as a handler, and his young team look capable of adding further success as the spring campaign unfolds.
From his first runner in October, Lawless has made an assured start to his career as a handler, and his young team look capable of adding further success as the spring campaign unfolds.
