Sheehy sidelined by positive Covid test

DANNY SHEEHY yesterday became the third Irish jockey to test positive for Covid-19.

He had two rides at the Curragh on Sunday and was replaced on My Good Brother, his only booked ride at Tipperary yesterday.

Sheehy’s brother, fellow jockey Mikey, tested positive over the weekend and that followed the news on Friday that his housemate Shane Crosse had returned a positive test on Friday ahead of a planed trip to Doncaster.

Crosse had to abort that and as result missed the winning ride on Galileo Chrome in the Pertemps St Leger for Joseph O’Brien.

Horse Racing Ireland said in a statement yesterday: ‘Following precautionary tests taken over the weekend, jockey Danny Sheehy has returned a positive test for Covid-19. He was asymptomatic prior to the test and is now self-isolating. Contact tracing continues.

‘All other tests taken over the weekend, including contact tracing and those at the yard of Joseph O’Brien, returned negative.’

O’Brien (right) is in no rush to firm up future plans for Galileo Chrome.

The Australia colt displayed class and courage to come out on top under a delighted Tom Marquand – a late substitute in the saddle for Crosse.

O’Brien’s charge has now returned to Co Kilkenny and the Piltown handler is keen to let the dust settle before considering the next course of attack.

‘He’s home safe and sound. We were delighted with his performance and it was a special day,’ he said.

‘We’ll discuss things with his owners. We have a few different options for him and there’ll be no decision on where we go just yet.’

The Dewhurst Stakes is a possible next port of call for

O’Brien’s Thunder Moon following victory in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Supplemented for the race, Thunder Moon showed a devastating change of gear to leave his rivals trailing in his wake and rocket to the head of ante-post lists for next year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

‘We were very happy with him. It was a bit of a messy race, but he showed a great turn of foot to go away and win well,’ said O’Brien.