Finny Maguire© Photo Healy Racing
It was unbelievable to win the Connacht Hotel Qualified Riders’ Handicap for the second year in succession at Galway on Monday. Coming up the road you were just thinking how lucky I was to win it last year. You’re kind of dreaming of winning it again but I didn’t think it would happen really. It was an unbelievable feeling when I just got up. I didn’t think I would, he made it hard for me.
I didn’t think I was going to win until I hit the front. I didn’t even think a furlong down I was going to get there. He wasn’t going to make it simple for me. He’s really tough and genuine and stayed well, which really counted for everything. The ground is getting testing. We went a nice gallop so his stamina kicked in.
He’s a hardy National Hunt horse. He ran a cracker at Cheltenham. He’s the type of horse you wanted this year with that ground.
I rang Mr Weld when the entries came out and he pinpointed this horse for me straight away. Thankfully he had the faith in me early on and I knew what I was riding. When you’re riding for him around Galway, it doesn’t get any better than that. You always know you have a chance when you’re riding for Mr Weld. He’s been a great supporter of mine. My second ever winner was for him in Galway when I was 16. He had faith in me back then so thankfully, I must be doing something right!
It’s even sweeter the second time around. You really appreciate it. You go through the roll of honour and you don’t get too many of these on your CV so to do it again, at 23, is unbelievable. I’m delighted.
I didn’t do anything special last year as Princess Zoe went on to win a Group 1. We’ll see what Coltor goes on to do. I don’t know if he’ll go on to do the same but maybe I didn’t do anything special again this year!
Having the crowd was a bit of a boost. It always is when you hear a bit of a roar. It’s obviously not a classic Galway but it’s more than was here last year. They’re so rare. I’m so happy and thankful
Finny and Coltor© Photo Healy Racing
This is the biggest race for amateurs — I’d definitely be saying it is anyway. There’s Grade 1 bumpers at Punchestown but this is probably the most prestigious race for amateurs. The history of the race goes back a long way. It’s unbelievable to have done it twice.
I let out some roar of relief crossing the line this year. I was a bit subdued last year, I don’t know if I believed it but it was some feeling crossing the line this year. I still can’t believe it.
