Kevin O'Donnell with his son Philip after Dubh Eile won the bumper for them Gowran© Photo Healy Racing
Philip O’Donnell recorded his first success as he partnered Dubh Eile trained and owned by his father Kevin, to victory in the bumper at Gowran, the Joe Bollard Memorial Flat Race.
The six-year-old daughter of Definite Article finished third to Daring Carlotta at Clonmel just over a week ago and she was sent off the 7/2 second favourite today.
Settled in mid-division she made progress into third as they turned out of the back straight, and she hit the front four furlongs from home.
She was ridden along entering the turning for home and she soon stretched clear, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by four lengths. Blue Owen kept on to take second at 12/1 under Kate Harrington for her mother Jessica, while Intheolddays (10/1) was just a short head behind in third for Mags Mullins. Blueberry Hill was sent off the 10/3 favourite and he finished a disappointing fifth under Steven Clements for Jim Dreaper.
Kevin O’Donnell, who is based in Gowran, said afterwards: "She is bred by my father Kevin and he also had the dam Aine Dubh. She was a high class mare who was blacktype placed at Aintree.
"This one will go over hurdles now and may run at Galway if the ground is suitable."
Philip O’Donnell, who is seventeen, added: "That is my sixth ride on the track. I’ve had a second and a third in point-to-points."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
