Anyone with a few minutes to spare at next month's Fairyhouse sales could do a lot worse than follow the Richard Hannon camp around. It may result in a major touch.
For the third year running at the Curragh on Saturday, Hannon picked up the top prize in the £150,000 Tattersalls Breeders Stakes, which is confined to horses catalogued at the Fairyhouse auction. This time Amazing Dream proved an aptly-named winner as she beat off Aeraiocht by half-a-length under Cork-born rider Dane O'Neill.
The filly's Surrey owners, Pam and Peter Jubert, along with their son Paul, are firmly established on the lucky Hannon bandwagon having also owned the 1997 winner Another Fantasy. Bloodstock agent Peter Doyle was the actual purchaser of both horses along with Hannon's 1996 winner Miss Stamper.
"The winning fillies are becoming more expensive," grinned Doyle who said that Amazing Dream was bought for £31,000, Another Fantasy for £23,000 and Miss Stamper for just £7,000.
Peter Jubert, who backed Amazing Dream to win this at the start of the year at 66/1, was ecstatic and said: "I was sure we'd get done, even watching the race in the last 100 yards. It's really remarkable to be so lucky and we owe a lot to Richard and Peter."
A balanced and astute effort from O'Neill was also a help as the always prominent Amazing Dream took it up decisively around the two furlong marker and then held off the late challenges of Aeriocht and Rainbow Amethyst. The warm favourite Access All Areas could never get in a significant blow from a wide draw and managed only seventh, although less than seven lengths covered the first seven home.
Jim Bolger had to make do with the runner-up spot in the richest race of the day, but he got it right in the most prestigious, St Clair Ridge running out a length-and-a-half winner of the Group 3 Futurity Stakes from Mus-If and Flip The Switch.
St Clair Ridge races in the colours of Clare-born, Toronto-based surgeon Terence Molony and those same colours were carried to victory in the 1953 Irish 2,000 Guineas and St Leger by Sea Charger, owned by his father Martin. The Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe day is the principal target now for St Clair Ridge.
It was a good afternoon for apprentices. The season's leading youngster, Shane Kelly, made it 31 winners this term when City Imp authoritatively won the last, while Jamie Spencer delivered Midnight Lover with a late run to collar Royal South in the sprint handicap.
Fran Berry also timed it perfectly on Draft Of Vintage in the PDM Handicap, not going for everything until inside the last furlong and John Mulhern's horse quickly went on to win by a length and a half.
