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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Damut turns back the clock to record sixth career win

Tue 19th Jan 2021, 16:17

Damut leads Carnet De Stage at the lastDamut leads Carnet De Stage at the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Mick Winters and Darragh O’Keeffe enjoyed a high profile win with Chatham Street Lad in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month and they successfully combined again with the veteran Damut in the Jossestown Handicap Chase at Clonmel.

The 13-year-old tracked the pace until sent on before two out by O’Keeffe, and he kept on gamely under pressure on the run-in to hold off Carnet De Stage by three quarters of a length and justify odds of 11/2.

The pair pulled 11 lengths clear of American Image in third.

Winters said, “Before he came back to me, Paul Moloney (who cheered the winner home on the infield) spent his time training him on the beach and my own young fella Timmy and my wife still head off with him to Beale beach (north Kerry) two or three times a week.

"Paul is stone mad for racing and trained until five years ago but like most fellows training nowadays he couldn't make the books balance. He is now driving a lorry but his heart is in racing and we also gave him another horse to bring on - his heart and soul is inside in it.

"Darragh O'Keeffe said that when he wasn't able to go on, he loved being able to take his time and was able to get a feel for him and he loved that ground.

"He is after dropping down the grades and while every day I'm talking about retiring him, he'll keep going."

(TW & AM)

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.