Moss Tucker (4) with Get Ahead (8)© Photo Healy Racing
Rags-to-riches sprinter Moss Tucker emulated his Munster rugby-playing owner Donal Spring in producing a giant-killing feat at the top-level today, landing the Curragh's Group 1 €400,000 Al Basti Equiworld Flying Five Stakes.
Named in honour of late Moss Keane and Colm Tucker, who played alongside Spring on the legendary Munster team which defeated the All Blacks in 1978, the Excelebration gelding met with defeat at country tracks Killarney, Ballinrobe and Bellewstown in 2021, when rated just 74.
The over-sized sprinter has taken gradual steps since then and today, contesting his second Group 1, scored a battling success under jockey Bill Lee.
As the stalls opened for the five-furlongs dash, Lee was quick-as-lightening in removing the gelding's hood, before breaking smartly and racing with the pace. Get Ahead and Equality battled for the lead a furlong out but Moss Tucker (16/1) kept battling and led close home to beat Get Ahead by a half-length.
Owner/breeder Spring, brother of 1990s Tanaiste Dick Spring, reported “this is incredible and there are two guys up there looking down on us — Moss Keane and Colm Tucker. He embodies everything that they were about - he is pure heart, toughness and give it your all.
“I'd say he had as much odds of winning today as Munster had of beating the All Blacks!”
Condon commented “it’s fantastic to win on the Curragh on the most important weekend in Irish racing. It’s just been a great story with this horse how he has progressed and kept improving.
“You’re thinking if we got placed it would be a super effort and then the heavens opened about an hour and a half ago which helped us a good bit.
“I thought he got a superb ride, Billy was just brilliant on him and he had a willing partner.”
He added “he was very good here the last day a month ago. We thought that was a career best and obviously this is another step in the right direction.
“He’s the kind of horse you would want to be going into battle with. We were having a quite time of it so to have a horse like him that can be competitive in these races — that’s what we all get up for in the morning.”
Jockey Lee added “Ken and I love this horse and he has been a brilliant servant who has made his way up through the grades. He is as genuine as they come, things went lovely today — he jumped and travelled well but when they quickened at the two (furlongs pole) I thought I was in trouble. He is all heart though, stuck to his guns and really battled hard.
“When I saw the rain coming I thought he could run a good race but again he has exceeded my expectations. He is just a brilliant horse and while we (the Condon team) have had a quietish year, this one winner makes all the difference.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
