The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘When Bryan won, the noise in the bar was like a jet taking off’
BLENNERVILLE is no stranger to hosting Cheltenham parties - Total Enjoyment in 2004 and Bryan’s glorious feat of 12 months ago immediately spring to mind. Blennerville is the ancestral home of the ‘Cooper Clan’ and a famous rendezvous point for racing debate is ‘Skelper’ Quane’s Bar in the heart of the village. In fact the only place louder than Cheltenham racecourse when Bryan crossed the finish line on Gold Cup day was Quane’s where customers went berserk with joy for ‘one of their own’ as the famous phrase goes. Publican Tom Quane chats to me about those very special days last March. “It was a part of history for us as I’ve known Bryan’s father Tom all my life. I remember Bryan when he was only a nipper and at the time you couldn’t have foreseen that things like this would happen. But when it did happen we said we must celebrate it and Bryan came back to us for a night after the Gold Cup and it was just brilliant. He is a very gracious young man and when he took time out so soon after winning to come back to the village it says a lot about him,” said Tom.
“The original Cooper house is right across the street from where our pub is in Blennerville and the remains of the old stables were Bryan’s grandfather would have trained horses can still be seen. I guess you could say that’s where it all began.” Tom continues: “The Gold Cup day here in the bar was simply unreal. The bar was full and the tension was high. The place went wild when he crossed the finish line and we were all very proud. When Bryan won, the noise in the bar was like a jet plane taking off! It’s a huge achievement, especially as he is so young. Very few jockeys get to win a Gold Cup.
“Bryan has the horses and he has the ability but you also need that bit of luck in this sport. He’s had a tough year with injury and fingers crossed all will go well for him over the four days. Cheltenham is a great week for us here in the bar and we’ll be packed in again this year biting our nails and cheering Bryan on!”