Jade the apple of Kennedy’s eye after sparkling performance at Dublin Festival in Leopardstown
THE second staging of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown produced no shortage of success for the Kennedy brothers, Jack and Paddy, along with Bryan Cooper - each of whom notched impressive wins over two exciting days of top class action.
Despite the inclement weather conditions leading up to the meeting, the hard frost never penetrated the ground to any degree, which was unseasonably Good ground with many horses withdrawn by connections due to the chase course riding quicker than ideal for the time of year.
Day one was all about the redoubtable mare Apple’s Jade and Jack Kennedy in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle. It’s hard to believe the daughter of Saddle Maker, who just turned seven, registered her 10th Grade 1 success in such impressive style. It was felt the drop back to 2miles might not play to her strengths, as it was her first time taking on the distance since 2016 when only narrowly beaten. But the mare is in a different class this season.
On three separate occasions during the race Kennedy pressed the button on Apple’s Jade and each time she responded in kind: once at the start when Kennedy asked Apple’s Jade to boldly take up the running; the second when asked to extend the advantage down the back straight; while rounding the turn for home Apple’s Jade had her rivals off the bridle when asked to kick on to win by 16 lengths.
The fact the last hurdle had been omitted because of low sun made for a longer run in and only Supasundae - the 2018 Irish Champion Hurdle winner - made any effort to get close even though he was comprehensively beaten for toe. Apple’s Jade is physically a small mare yet her scope and the way she jumps every hurdle is ultra-impressive.
“She’s something else. Just to be associated with a horse like her is what you dream about growing up, it’s brilliant. She is so simple to ride, she’s a pleasure,” Kennedy said following the race.
Apple’s Jade has now won her last three Grade 1s by an accumulative margin of over 62 lengths. Before Saturday’s race all the talk was about whether or not she should contest the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 5 weeks’ time. Gigginstown owner Michael O’Leary has given the strongest hint yet that this is now the mare’s target. Few believe she doesn’t deserve her chance and if Triple Crown seeking Buveur D’air was to experience a rare off day, then Apple’s Jade might well emulate the feat of Annie Power in 2016.
The win marked a double on the card for Jack, who also won The Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle with Commander of Fleet for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown. The Fame and Glory gelding and 13/2 shot saw off a strong challenge from the Joseph O’Brien charge, Rhinestone. Once again, the omission of the last hurdle resulted in a 2.5 furlong run-in that produced a gutsy performance from both horses with Kennedy’s mount just getting up by a stride.
Bryan Cooper showed all his class when getting Quamino past the post in The Goffs’ Handicap Chase over 2.1miles in the last race on day one. Cooper is enjoying a wonderful season for trainer Paul Nolan and Quamino had form heading into what was a competitive handicap. After jumping the last, Quamino finished strongest when picking off several of his rivals to eventually run down Dakota Moirette (ridden by Jack Kennedy) in the finish.
In the penultimate race on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival, Paddy Kennedy rode Whisperinthebreeze to victory in the Abbey International Handicap Chase over 2.5miles in the colours of the late Alan Potts. The Jessica Harrington trained six-year-old was prominent throughout and had plenty left when Kennedy took up the running in swashbuckling style three fences from home. The Kayf Tara gelding could not be reeled in and it was good to see Paddy Kennedy being welcomed back to the winner’s enclosure at one of the top meetings.
Speaking after the race, Jessica said: “I’m delighted for Paddy as he rides out for me every day in the yard.” Whisperinthebreeze now looks primed for a tilt at the four miler at the Cheltenham Festival.