Don Patricio caused a 25/1 upset to win the opening Taylor Construction & Civil Maiden Hurdle at Sligo today, scoring for father and son, trainer and jockey Martin and Conor Brassil.

The son of Camacho made all when holding off the late challenge of half-length runner-up Tomeric and following the race, Grand National winning trainer Brassil commented “he’d a grand run in a bumper but did a bit too much in the race, and the last day he ran way too keen and wasn’t left alone.

“I thought if he got an easy lead today that the experience he got the last day would be of some benefit. He relaxed lovely in front and was able to dictate the pace. I knew he’d quicken up well as he’s out of a fast horse.

“He’d shown enough that he could win one of those and possibly progress. He could go for a novice in Galway all being well.”

Winning owner/breeder Leo Hayes, from Lavella Stud in Co Limerick, stood national hunt stallion Eurobus in the 1990s, who is the sire of Don Patricio's dam Hushaby.

Don Patricio was a famous Ireland international soccer player in the 1910s, Manchester United captain, title-winning manager in Spain and is also regarded as the one-time the saviour of Barcelona Football Club.

Quotes from Alan Magee