Double success for Kerry connections in world racing

IT was a week to remember for the Regan family from Listowel as Group 1 success on the flat was celebrated not once, but twice as wins in Italy and the prestigious Breeders’ Cup in the USA made it the kind of week horse owners dream of.

The first part in a glorious double came when the Tony Martin-trained Laganore - ridden by Champion Flat Jockey Colin Keane - won The Premio Lydia Tesio over 1m2f at Cappannelle near Rome a week ago, one of Italy’s last remaining G1 races and worth €145,000 to the winner.

The win was made all the more special given Laganore is homebred at Newton Anner Stud in Tipperary, owned by Listowel couple Maurice and Patrica Regan. The horse finished third in the same race a year ago but the easier ground played to the filly’s strengths this time round and she won by two lengths.

“She is a lovely horse and she gave Tony and Colin their first G1 wins on the flat which really adds to the thrill of it. She was bred at home by us and is by sire Fastnet Rock whose progeny have been very good to us. We’re only in this game around 12 years, so to have two G1 wins in a week is beyond our wildest dreams.” Patricia told The Kerryman.

But scarcely had the Regans time to revel in the moment when success struck again at one of the racing world’s most celebrated festivals: the Breeders’ Cup in Del Mar.

US-based Maurice Regan (son of Patricia and Maurice) is a key part of the family’s horseracing success and co-owner of Caledonia Road who won the Juvenile Fillies G1 at Saturday night’s Breeders’ Cup, worth a cool $1,260,000 in prize money.

“My son Maurice has a deep interest in the sport and it was he who initially steered us towards horses. Even though they didn’t expect the filly to win, she won by two lengths at a price of 20/1. I spoke with him after the race and he was absolutely thrilled,” Patricia added.

In addition to G1 success, the Newton Anner Stud-owned Beckford – a rare horse on the flat for trainer Gordon Elliott – also finished a commendable 5th at the Breeders’ Cup meeting.

“He’s a small little horse and he did really well considering he got a poor draw and was bumped around at the start. We’ve decided he will be staying on to be trained in the US. He won twice for Gordon this summer and I’m sure he’ll be sad to see him go.”

Patricia concluded: “I feel very lucky with the success we’ve had this week and I thank god for it. It’s just been great with people calling and wishing us well. I don’t take a drink myself, so I just stayed at home on Saturday evening with my dogs watching the racing. It’s just been marvellous.”

Caledonia Road, co-owned by Maurice Regan, who easily won the Juvenile Fillies Grade One at the Breeders’ Cup meeting in the US on Saturday night. Laganore, owned by Patricia and Maurice Regan, who won a Grade One Classic in Italy.