A total of 17 different jockeys were unable to win on One Cool Poet but Castletown native Billy Lee had the magic touch as the pair made history by winning three times in six days at Ballybrit. Before Ballybrit, One Cool Poet had just one win to his name in five years but he hit a hot streak at the best possible time.
His first win arrived on Monday night in the Caulfield Industrial Handicap, as he swooped late and fast under Billy Lee to beat Emphatic by a neck at odds of 7-1. He returned two days later to land the Open Gate Pure Brew Handicap at 4-1 and the hat-trick was completed on Saturday when he stormed clear to win the McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap by five lengths at odds of 11-4.
Having started the week rated 66, One Cool Poet is now set to receive a mark in the 90s. What a turnaround for a horse who had not won since April of 2015 before turning up at Ballybrit last week. Lee was also successful on the Paddy Twomey-trained Raven’s Cry in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden at Galway on Sunday.
Mr Smith is best-known for being one leg of the famous Charles Byrnes treble at Roscommon in August 2016, has had a couple of years on the sidelines since, but he has come back very strongly this year and comprehensively landed the Kenny Galway Handicap Hurdle on Sunday.
Ridden by Adam Short, he was sent to the front before the fourth last and galloped his rivals into submission from there, scoring by ten lengths from Goodnightngodbless. He’s entered again at Roscommon on Tuesday at the equivalent meeting and chances are high that he will return there.
Brynes also won the Guinness Time Flat Race at Galway on Thursday with the JP McManus-owned newcomer All Those Years who scored easily at odds of 4-7 under Derek O’Connor.
Other Racing News
Comer Group International take over as jockeys sponsors
Comer Group International has announced a three-year deal to provide career-ending insurance for all members of the Irish Jockeys Association (IJA).
The insurance scheme, which has been in place for four years, guarantees that all IJA members, should they suffer a career-ending injury, will be fully insured and offers them and their families greater financial security for their retirement than any other previous scheme.
In return, the jockeys will carry the Comer Group International logo on their breeches. The original scheme, introduced by the Irish Jockeys Association, providing a policy of career-ending insurance was funded by the jockeys themselves at their own considerable cost.
As part of this new partnership, Comer Group International has agreed to take over that existing premium for a three-year period.
Happen second at Saratoga for O’Brien
Happen overcame a slow start to finish second in the Saratoga Oaks for Aidan O’Brien on Friday but was no match for Concrete Rose, finishing four and three-quarter lengths behind the winner. Concrete Rose made all in the $695,000 contest, adding the second leg of the New York Racing Association’s inaugural Turf Tiara to her CV just one month after winning the Belmont Oaks.
Upcoming Fixtures
Cork – Monday, August 5 (First Race 2.20)
Naas – Monday, August 5 (First Race 2.05)
Roscommon – Tuesday, August 6 (First Race 5.40)
Sligo – Wednesday, August 7 (First Race 2.05)
Sligo – Thursday, August 8 (First Race 5.35)
Leopardstown – Thursday, August 8 (First Race 5.15)
Curragh – Friday, August 9 (First Race 5.15)
Kilbeggan – Saturday, August 10 (First Race 5.35)
Downpatrick – Sunday, August 11 (First Race 1.50)
Tipperary – Sunday, August 11 (First Race 2.05)
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