Waterford horse trainer Henry de Bromhead is celebrating Thyestes Chase success, and the Knockeen handler can toast a 224/1 double, following a stellar afternoon’s action at Gowran Park.
The stamina-sapping Grade 3 went the way of de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, as Ain’t That A Shame defied odds of 14/1 to see off the Willie Mullins-trained Glengouly by two and a half lengths, duly capturing the top prize of €100,000.
AIN'T THAT A SHAME WINS THE GOFFS THYESTES CHASE! 👏👏
What a ride from @rachaelblackmor as @HenrydeBromhead's charge shows a brilliant attitude to land the @GowranPark1 feature 🙌
🏇 @Goffs1866 pic.twitter.com/b5d1Y8Fe1R
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 25, 2024
Blackmore thus became the first female jockey ever to win the famed handicap in its 70 year history.
25 January 2024; Jockey Rachael Blackmore celebrates with the trophy after riding Ain't That A Shame to victory in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Steeplechase at Gowran Park in Kilkenny. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The success is a third Thyestes crown for the De Bromhead family, with Henry having previously saddled the victor in 2017 via Champagne West - while his late father, Harry, was also a Thyestes Chase winner in 1992 courtesy of Grand Habit.
🗣️"It's a brilliant race to win."
A delighted @HenrydeBromhead reflects on Ain't That A Shame's victory in today's @Goffs1866 Thyestes Chase at @GowranPark1 👏 pic.twitter.com/bFGOt5owk8
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 25, 2024
Thyestes Day had gotten off to the perfect start for the Waterford handler, as Darragh O’Keeffe and Champagne Mahler (14/1) recorded a comfortable six and a half length success in the opening Langtons Kilkenny Handicap Hurdle, seeing off Con O’Keeffe’s Kilbarry Saint.
25 January 2024; Champagne Mahler, with Darragh O'Keeffe up, jumps the last on their way to winning the Langtons Kilkenny Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park in Kilkenny. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
An almost perfect day for Waterford racing fans was topped off in exemplary fashion as Ardmore jockey John Gleeson once again became acquainted with the winning enclosure in the closing bumper, guiding the Joseph O’Brien-trained Samyr (4/5) home to win with ease and eight lengths in hand.
👀 Remember the name!
Samyr pulls nicely clear to make a winning debut at @GowranPark1 and looks a nice prospect for the @JosephOBrien2 team... pic.twitter.com/BLWDmcAmIz
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 25, 2024
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