Paddy Twomey has made giant strides as a trainer.© Photo Healy Racing
Paddy Twomey has made giant strides in the training ranks over the last decade. So much so, that it is hard to believe the Tipperary man has held a licence for just over a decade.
In fact, it was 11th April 2012, when Hunting Goddess gave him his very first winner under rules. Four years later, Twomey took out a full licence and since then it has been onwards and upwards.
In a few short years, horses of the calibre of Sonaiyla, Pearls Galore, La Petite Coco and Limiti De Greccio have propelled Twomey into the big leagues.
However, in Saturday's Cork winner, French Claim, he could have a colt that holds genuine aspirations for this season's Classics.
An impressive maiden winner at Listowel last September, the son of French Fifteen was very green and did everything wrong but impressed with the ability he showed to overcome those odds.
French Claim coped admirably with a step up in grade the following month, faring much better than the bare result in the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes.
A winter break left connections dreaming of bigger prizes, which on the evidence of Saturday's reappearance are within reach.
"He keeps finding and is still learning on the job. He has plenty of entries and there is a 1m5f Listed race for three year olds only at Navan and he'll have no problem getting that trip " said Twomey
"We have him entered in Epsom and his owners are keen to go and that is in consideration. A cut in the ground doesn't inconvenience him and I think he'll get 1m6f later in the year so a race like the St Leger in Doncaster might be right up his street."
Exciting times for the Twomey yard with plenty of options for their new stable star.
