Billyford scores sixth career win

The one-time three year absent Billyford recorded his sixth career win when readily following up his recent course win, in the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap at Dundalk this evening, completing a double for jockey Johnny Murtagh.

The son of Lil’s Boy moved to the front a furlong out before staying on well for a comfortable win over He’s Got Rhythm.

Winning trainer Liam Roche’s wife Sally Roche (also owner) later revealed “I’ve been writing a book about Billyford, and his long layoff due to an ownership dispute, for the last three years. He is a real family horse and is named after my brother, who sadly passed away.

“He’s a lovely horse and we hope to bring him to Kempton soon. I nursed him back to health, am 58 years old and rode him out this morning!

“We don’t know how good Billyford is at this stage as he has lost three years - no matter how good he is you can’t get those years back.”

Samie Heffernan, rider of He's Got Rhythm was subsequently suspended for one having been found guilty of careless riding, in an incident with Mountain Coral