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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

A first winner for Harney & a first ride in over three decades for Burke

Sun 11th Jul 2021, 18:06

State Of Fame winning under Tom HarneyState Of Fame winning under Tom Harney
© Photo Healy Racing

State Of Fame brought up plenty of bets in the concluding bumper at Sligo.

He was available at 100/1 this morning before Mr Saxobeat and Quiet Escape were ruled out. He then opened at 18/1 and tumbled to 5/1 on the off.

Aslukwoodhaveit, the 4/9 favourite, attempted to make all but couldn't keep up the gallop as he dropped to third.

State Of Fame stayed on best to post a four and a quarter length success from Call Me Jim (16/1).

Trainer Ross O'Sullivan said: “It’s young Tom Harney’s first track winner. He’s from near me in Punchestown and he’s ridden three point-to-point winners.

“The dam of this one, Nirphania, had lots of potential as a racehorse but has been a bit unlucky as a broodmare, so it’s lovely to get a winner out of her.

“This horse had a good first run (fourth at Thurles) and then lost his way a little bit, maybe through a little bit of weakness, through the winter.

“In the last couple of weeks he has strengthened up really well. We were a bit worried about all the rain but he handled the ground well.

“He’ll probably get three miles over hurdles.

“I love coming to Sligo and it’s a lucky track for me.”

Trainer Liam Burke returned to the saddle on board his own Shumard This was the 64-year-old's first ride in over 33 years. The father of current National Hunt jockey Jonathan Burke came in sixth.

He said: “I enjoyed that. He ran a nice race but I wasn’t fit enough! I’ll be better for the run and I’m looking forward to my next ride already!”

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.