Owega gives O'Neill his first win Peter Fahey followed up on his big win with Shop Dj at the Punchestown Festival last Saturday by taking the last race on today’s card at Killarney the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Flat Race with his Owega Star. The 4yo son of Basanta had just two point-to-point runs to his name before today running out on his first start at Belclare before finishing a well beaten fourth at Marlin, both runs coming just last month. The victorious jockey John O’Neill who is nineteen, from Monasterevin, Co Kildare and works full-time for Peter Fahey was enjoying his first success in the saddle. A Country Girl for Christy Roche with his son Padraig aboard looked set for victory coming up the home straight but the winner responded well to his young jockeys urgings, staying on to win by two lengths at the finish. The winning trainer said afterwards, “We always thought a bit of him, but he had no luck in point-to-points. He’ll have a break now.” There was drama at the bottom turn before the straight where Our Old Pal, Prince Of Diamonds, Zerdiyan and Kaylas Charm all came to grief. Thankfully no injuries to jockeys or horses were reported. Meanwhile jockey Tim Donworth received a four day suspension from the stewards for his ride on Celestial Way, citing careless riding as the reason for the ban.
