Aratayvo wins maiden for Weld & Hayes

Aratayvo (11/2) improved on a recent runner-up effort to score on his second attempt at Dundalk’s mile today, landing the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Maiden for trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Chris Hayes.

The son of Footstepsinthesand had previously been placed in a turf maiden in September 2023 and having returned following a 129-day layoff last month, today raced with the leaders and eventually battled well to hold Dahaby by a half-length.

Jockey Hayes said "we probably overfaced him after a good run (second) in a Naas maiden last year when running him in the Goffs Million.

"Gelding him has certainly helped his demeanour and he showed good fortitude to get up there. I'd like to think he could become a decent handicapper next year."

Quotes from Michael Graham