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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Robin ruling the Roost at 14

Sat 15th Jun 2024, 15:50

Robin De Roost and Aileen O'Sullivan Robin De Roost and Aileen O'Sullivan
© Photo Healy Racing

14-year-old Robin De Roost rolled back the years when springing a 40/1 shock in the Tote Handicap Chase at Downpatrick under Aileen O'Sullivan.

Tom Gibney 's charge was making his first start since pulling up at Tramore in November and was prominent throughout in the two-mile-three contest.

O'Sullivan sent him for home going to the second last and he galloped on resolutely up the hill to post a four-and-a-quarter length win over Game And Glory

It was a first success for Robin De Roost since winning the same race three years ago.

Gibney said: "Peter Duffy (from High Horse Syndicate) is a massive part of that, he does practically all the work with the horse himself. Between him and Diane (Duffy) they have done an amazing job with this horse and keeping him sweet at this age and this stage of his life. He's absolutely loving it.

"He won that race three years ago and he loves this place anyway!

"Brilliant for Aileen, she gave him a fantastic ride and she gets on great with the horse.

“That's the Peter connection and fair play to them. Peter got her in the beginning and he loved the way she gets on so well with the horse and he was keen to keep the partnership intact. He was absolutely right.

"We'll see how he is after that and play it race by race."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.