Trainer Michael Halford and son Josh© Photo Healy Racing
The Michael Halford trained Katiymann (5/4jf) improved one placing on a recent debut runner-up effort when winning the concluding TheTote.com Maiden at Galway today, providing his jockey Shane Foley with the second leg of a double.
The four year old son of Shamardal made a belated racecourse debut on July 10 and having previously been in the care of trainer Dermot Weld was sold to current connections for E16,000 last November. Today the gelding exacted a measure of personal ‘revenge’ when beating the Weld trained, and other 5/4 joint favourite, Newcross
Following the race Halford stated “it's always nice to get a winner at Galway and he’s a nice horse. It's hard for a four-year-old to carry that weight on that tacky ground and Shane gave him a good ride and produced him to win.
“He runs in my mother Margie's colours and it's nice for my father who has had a lot of treatment this year and it means a lot to get a Galway winner.
“In Fairyhouse he was a bit green and came on plenty in his home work. We'll see what the handicapper does now.”
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
