'Six falls in a car park, he put three in hospital' - tricky Esticky wins

Racing’s rowdiest horse Esticky End (16/1) concluded a two-and-a-half-year wait for success today, as he maintained three-horse trainer Tom McGuinness’ hot streak in landing Dundalk’s HRI Best Turned-Out Flat League Handicap.

The six-year-old had previously won four races in England - the latest coming in May 2022, but in recent times had shown temperament issues. However, last month the gelding returned to some form, finishing second, and today bridged the gap between wins, scoring a straightforward-looking success under jockey Jack Cleary, from runner-up Koniag .

Rosslare Strand-based McGuinness, whose other horses have also won this month, described today as his ‘most satisfying success’ and revealed “Esticky End came from England for free as he had lost his form.

“I actually begged a few people to take him, as he a character at home and put three people in hospital earlier in the year! Half the weigh room refused to ride him until Gary Halpin was brave enough to get on him at Leopardstown last summer but he got bruised in the stalls.”

He expanded “I didn’t argue with anyone for refusing to ride him as they were right - but I just had to keep going to find somebody! We went to Curraghmore (gallops) one day and had a very good rider aged in his 40s from Joseph O’Brien’s, but he dropped him six times in the carpark and once after galloping.

“He told me to get someone else, like Dylan Robinson who'd ride anything, so luckily enough I found him. I was down to one rider but Dylan got him going.”

He added “I ride him myself at home and I’m not much of a rider, but I won’t let anyone else ride him, as he is that tricky. Even if he sees a horse playing up, he’ll just lose it and he has a temper. You don’t lose your attention riding him.

“I took on the challenge in training him, as I said I’d learn more than with ten quiet ones. He has taught me more than 20 others and that’s what the game is about, learning.”

In his fourth year with a license, today's win was McGuinness' eighth.

Quotes from Michael Graham