Ireland’s Cosgrave tipped to star for world team
IRELAND has experienced a turbulent history, but one thing it can boast is a stream of talented jockeys.
Without Googling “Irish jockeys”, most racing enthusiasts should be able to name at least eight who immediately spring to mind. The likes of Tony McCoy, Pat Taaffe, Kieren Fallon, Pat Eddery, Ruby Walsh, Mick Kinane, Pat Smullen and Tom Queally have all been household names.
Another Irishman you can add to the list is 32-year-old Pat Cosgrave, who will be in the international team taking on SA at Fairview tomorrow and Turffontein on Saturday.
Cosgrave, who has ridden many horses for Mike de Kock, will be hoping the year ends better than it started. He broke a leg in an accident on the gallops in the UK in March.
The York Ebor meeting in August is one of the most popular events on the British racing calendar and Cosgrave played his part in making it a memorable occasion for trainer William Haggas.
A regular visitor to the Cape during our summer season, Haggas saddled four winners at the York meeting and two of them were ridden by Cosgrave.
He won the Gr 2 Lowther Stakes on the filly Besharah, and the Gr 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes on Storm The Stars. Besharah is currently quoted at 14-1 for next year’s Qipco 1,000 Guineas.
Cosgrave has ridden against Hayley Turner in many races in the UK — this time they are on the same side with the aim of beating the South African side that includes five champion jockeys.
Robert Havlin will be another of Cosgrave’s teammates and — like everyone else — the Scottish-born rider will be hoping he draws some mounts with decent form.
With Kieren Fallon not making the trip, his place in the six-member international side has been taken by Germany-based rider Francisco Franco de Silva. He has ridden Gr 1 winners in Ireland, Germany, France and Dubai.
Gavin Lerena, the captain of the SA side, will hope to tune up for the two international meetings by riding Bull Valley to victory in today’s sixth race at Turffontein.
Trainer Dominic Zaki was withdrawn from his latest engagement after bolting and — provided he is on his best behaviour — the Toreador gelding will be a warm order to maintain his unbeaten record.
However, Lerena can expect challenges from Anthony Delpech on Noah From Goa and S’manga Khumalo who partners Lunar Approach. The latter has to be included in all exotic bets as he is set to receive 9.5kg from Bull Valley and 4kg from Noah From Goa.