Gigginstown notches fifth Christmas win

Expensive purchase Stellar Story capped a successful Christmas period for Michael O'Leary's reduced Gigginstown House Stud operation today, landing Fairyhouse's concluding Jump Into January (Pro-Am) Bumper for trainer Gordon Elliott.

Bought for £310,000 following his point-to-point win last March, the six year old son of Shantou today battled with Any Road throughout the final furlong and bumped the runner-up in the closing stages.

Half a length separated the pair and while the stewards enquired, the result was allowed stand, although successful jockey Harry Swan was suspended for three days for careless riding.

Trainer Elliott, with his 12th Christmas winner, said “he’s a fine big jumping horse going forward and winning a bumper is only a bonus. The ground was probably quick enough for him here the last day but the form of that race is working out.”

It was Gigginstown's fifth winner during Christmas, with O'Leary himself in attendance at Leopardstown on December 28 for Conflated's big-race success in Leopardstown's Savills Chase.

Quotes from Alan Magee