Con O'Keeffe with Kilbarry Chloe, jockey Mike O'Connor and groom Justin Houlihan© Photo Healy Racing
Homebred Kilbarry Chloe (12/1) credited trainer Con O'Keeffe with a career highlight today, as conditional jockey Mike O'Connor steered the mare to win Limerick's featured Grade 3 Irish Wire EBF Shannon Spray Novice Hurdle.
Kilbarry Chloe was a winner at Wexford last Sunday and today led on the home turn before staying on well to beat Mi Lighthouse by three and three parts of a length.
Co Waterford based O'Keeffe, who bred the daughter of Mahler, owns the five year old mare in partnership with Tadhg O'Sullivan and reported “she had been promising that all year, she is a staying mare who needs soft ground.
“It came too soon after her Wexford win but today's conditions were perfect and these graded races don't come so often, so you have to take your chances.
“All credit to all the lads at home and she got a great ride - he (5lbs claimer O'Connor) is an excellent young man and has a bright future.
“She is a soft ground mare so we won't get carried away and Punchestown's ground can come up quick enough. Fairyhouse is a month away so we'll cool our jets now and see what happens.”
He added “breeding is our game, we have a lot of broodmares and have this family for 25 years. It has been so good to us and keeps throwing up winners.
“We just train our own fillies and this is out Cheltenham, we're thrilled. I'm delighted for Tadhg who has been with me for years.”
