Matt Connor scores big win for Offaly syndicate at Fairyhouse

There were great scenes in the winners enclosure last week when 'Matt Connor' landed the three year old handicap over the mile and a quarter trip with the legendary Offaly foorballer he's named after in attendance to see the win.

Owned by a syndicate of Ferbane and Banagher owners, 'Matt Connor' was making it back to back successes having won last time out in Cork.

Billy Lee tracked the leaders on the Teofilo gelding who was travelling well in third on the home turn. In front a furlong out, the Henry de Bromhead-trained winner kept on well in the colours of the Patocallagahanracing Syndicate to beat Picture Of A City by a length and a half.

“Matt Connor is actually there today. I was told all about him lately, he was one of the best footballers around so it was nice to meet him,” said Bromhead afterwards.

Aidan O’Brien trained his ninth Derby winner when Auguste Rodin showed his class at Epsom with an exceptional display to run down King Of Steel.

Racing in mid-division as stablemates San Antonio and Adelaide River set the early lead Augusta Rodin with Ryan Moore on board was content to let the race unfold as Kevin Stott aboard the 66-1 outsider King Of Steel kicked for home after rounding Tattenham Corner. Auguste Rodin made his move just over two furlongs out and with every stride was closing King Of Steel’s advantage. Staying on strongly Augusta Rodin took up the lead with two hundred yards to go before powering his way to pass King Of Steel to give Moore his third Derby victory.

Speaking afterwards winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “All the people in Coolmore have made this happen — this is a total homebred horse. It’s all credit to them to make this happen every day. He came with a massive reputation as a beautiful horse but he kept stepping up to all the markers all the way, which is very unusual.

“He’s totally unique — he’s out of one of the greatest Galileo mares (Rhododendron) by the greatest stallion ever in Japan. I can’t tell you, he’s totally unique.

Gary Carroll was the jockey to follow on the opening day of the three day Listowel festival on Saturday as he rode a 112.5/1 treble.

Mary The Priest got the ball rolling when she won the opening race for trainer Joseph Murphy winning a shady cosily and Carroll quickly doubled up as he won the second race on the card aboard the well supported Ross o’Sullivan (28/1 – 9/2) and the treble was completed when Carroll and Joseph Murphy again teamed up to land the auction median race with Grey Leader.

- Vinny Grennan