Cork Fri, 26th Jul, 2024  Samrogue that was a big surprise as she had a break after being withdrawn in the stalls at Navan (in April) and I thought she might need the run. The plan was to come here and then go to Laytown but I'm not sure she will get in there now. It might have been horses-for-courses and it is her time of the year as well but she was impressive. It is hard to imagine a six-year-old mare improving as much as that but I suppose those sprinters can do it. We are just riding at the crest of a wave at the moment and the horses are just so healthy and well. Leigh and Shane Foley are so handy for riding work for us on the Curragh and Leigh is a great man. He missed a few winners due to his injury but that winner will help him ahead of the Galway festival next week.

Ballinrobe Mon, 24th Jun, 2024  Brave Troop I'm delighted to get my first winner, it's been a long time coming and a lot of hard work. I'm very fortunate that I got a job working for Michael and Ruth Foley at Old Leighlin Stables. I'm only in the job a couple of weeks and I've around ten horses in. I'm very grateful for their support. This is a nice horse to have. He's quirky and kicked the box the whole way from Carlow, but he's tough and we'll find something at Galway for him. He wouldn't want the ground any quicker than this. I thought the horse (Mythical Rock) in the maiden was going to be my first winner, I was walking in thinking he had it, but he's run a blinder (in second) and has really come on for his first run. He's another nice horse to have in the yard. I was head lad for Emmet Mullins for two years and then I pre-trained for Jessie (Harrington) for two years as well. Ruairi Devine works with me in the yard and has 20 years experience in the game, so lot of credit goes to him.

Leopardstown Thu, 20th Jun, 2024  Smaoineamh Sile Peter (Commane) has had three horses with the Sile name and they have all now won four races. They are all tough, genuine fillies. I thought she would need the run a little bit, but she got an easy lead and she is good around here (third course and distance win). She will probably go to Bellewstown now. She obviously handles it (won there last year) and stays a mile very well. A mile and one is probably just at the end of her stamina.