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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Derby winner O'Brien lands Listowel's Pat Smullen Race

Sun 2nd Jun 2024, 16:13

The Liffey and Wayne LordanThe Liffey and Wayne Lordan
© Photo Healy Racing

Yesterday's Epsom Derby winning trainer Aidan O'Brien enjoyed another meaningful success at Listowel today as his The Liffey (2/1f) landed the Pat Smullen Race, run in memory of the champion trainer's brother-in-law.

A debut winner at the Curragh on his only start as a juvenile last year, the No Nay Never-colt finished fifth at Group 3 level in April and today raced prominently and won well from Without Words

Having stolen the show with City Of Troy at Epsom, O'Brien wasn't present today and his representative Chris Armstrong said “it was lovely to win this race run in memory of Pat Smullen, who was an unbelievable rider and unbelievable person. Aidan saw this race on the calendar and targeted The Liffey at it.

“It is a lovely memento to win a race run in Pat's memory.”

He added “it was a good weekend and this horse won nicely on his only run at two (years old) last year. I think the heavy ground at Leopardstown last month caught him out. His ideal trip is between seven furlongs and a mile on quick ground and this race fit in nicely for him and was a nice confidence booster.

“He might now step back up into stakes company.”

The Liffey's jockey Wayne Lordan also played a part in yesterday's Epsom classic, finishing third on the O'Brien-trained Los Angeles.

1st
2/1Fav
Tote €3.00 €1.50
2nd
2L
11/2
€2.40
3rd
2.25L
9/4
4th
0.5L
14/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.