Foley lands big priced winner at the Irish Champions Festival
Trainer Pat Foley and jockey Luke McAteer celebrates with the winning connections after Tango Flare won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Sprint Handicap at the Curragh today Photo: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Day 2 of the Irish Champions Festival at the Curragh got under way with a huge shock as Pat Foley saddled Tango Flare to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Handicap at odds of 50/1.
A son of the late Tom Foley, who stewarded the career of National Hunt legend Danoli, the Bagenalstown trainer is hoping to build his Flat string and scoring in a €150,000 Premier Handicap on the second day of Irish Champions Festival should aid that process.
Tango Flare was third in this race last year and with the predicted levels of rain not materialising, was able to put his best foot forward under Luke McAteer to deny the Charles O’Brien-trained eight-year-old top weight and eight-time course winner Big Gossey (22/1), who had to settle for the silver medal for the second time in three renewals.
“I was very worried about the ground, if the forecast had been right,” Foley revealed.
“Jim (McSharry, owner) rang this morning and we were wondering whether we’d run at all. But we said if we don’t run at all, what are we gonna do as it’s only going to get softer (for the rest of the year)?
“He was in off eight pounds lighter than last year when he was third. He ran a cracker in it last year to finish third and we were hoping he’d put his best foot forward.
“We only have a handful of Flat horses. We’re known as a National Hunt yard but I’d love to be busier in the summer and this won’t do us any harm.”
