Circling Moon wins under Conor Hoban© Photo Healy Racing
"I had great days here as a jockey but that has to be one of the great days of my training career. It's the first time I've had a treble," revealed Johnny Murtagh after Circling Moon completed a Leopardstown hat-trick for his County Kildare yard in the Leopardstown Ladies Golf Club Handicap.
Conor Hoban did the steering on this 8/1 shot, and though runner-up Touch Of Gold tried her case late, she could get no closer than three parts of a length at the line.
"I'm delighted for everybody. Conor is looking after a few horses in an overflow yard for us and is another vital part of the team," elaborated Murtagh.
"I feel sorry for Shane Foley who is suspended tonight and is missing out but I'm sure he won't mind the whole team getting a result.
"On a sad note (head girl) Valerie Keatley got a bad fall this morning. She was knocked out so hopefully she's okay and I'm going back to see her in Naas now. It ended up on a good note today."
The earlier Murtagh winners were Parkers Hill (6.00 race under Niall McCullagh) and True Valour in the feature at 7.05 under Chris Hayes. Near Kettering was second for Murtagh in the 8.05.
The Stewards informed Michael G. Kennedy, trainer that Touch Of Gold, would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
The Stewards informed J.J.Lambe, trainer that Sang Tiger (GER), would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
The Stewards informed Ross O'Sullivan, trainer that Universal Focus (GER), would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
(GC & EM)
