iowa and Mick Hussey© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Aidan O'Brien completed a 1-2 in the BoyleSports Ulster Derby at Down Royal as Michael Hussey, jockey of winner Iowa got off the mark for the year in the €80,000 race.
Hussey, also a work-rider at Ballydoyle, was steering his first winner since November and with Wayne Lordan joining Team Ballydoyle at Royal Ascot today, made use of his second-string ride on 14/1 winner Iowa.
Hussey switched Iowa, a son of Galileo, to challenge three furlongs out, as the pair eventually led inside the final furlong and held off stablemate and fast-finishing King Of The Castle
Trainer O'Brien's Point Lonsdale had earlier won Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes and after today's Derby success Hussey, with a pair of Group 3 wins to his own name, reported "he was game, he switched off well and he appreciated every furlong. He kept going at the end and he won well in the end.
"You could see him going into Group 3 company or a step up again. He didn't get a hard race there.
"Everyone gets their chance (in Ballydoyle) and it is great to be picking up while the lads are away. It is great to be getting them.
"It is a good atmosphere up here with the crowds getting in again."
Quotes from Michael Graham
