18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Yosemite Valley rewards stable's faith

Sat 23rd Sep 2023, 17:31

Yosemite Valley quickens away in the closing stagesYosemite Valley quickens away in the closing stages
© Photo Healy Racing

Yosemite Valley stamped his authority all over the six furlong DMG Media Maiden in the Curragh with a four-and-a-quarter-length success.

The 5/6 favourite came here on the back of a runner-up berth at Navan and in truth his backers didn't have much of a sweat once he came through a furlong and a half down. Un Bacio Ancora briefly looked a threat at the furlong pole, but Yosemite Valley had matters well in hand 150 yards out as he began to move clear. He went on by four and a-quarter lengths from the 50/1 runner-up. Nouvel Espoir (80/1) was another three lengths away in third.

Donnacha O'Brien said: “We always thought he was a smart horse and, to be fair, it's been a long road back for him. There are a lot of people that have put in a lot of hard work to get him here so it's great to get him back.

“We always thought he was a group horse and obviously he had group form at two.

“I think there is a conditions race over seven back here in a few weeks. He could run in that and then we'd put him away for the year and maybe look at stakes company next year.

“I think seven furlongs or a mile is probably his trip.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
5/6Fav
Tote €1.84 €1.10
2nd
4.25L
50/1
€10.70
3rd
3L
80/1
€16.40
4th
0.75L
14/1
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.