King Alexander delivers Galway Plate glory for Team Closutton

King Alexander emerged from the shadows of some more fancied stablemates to claim a thrilling victory in the Tote Galway Plate at Ballybrit on Wednesday evening, handing Willie Mullins another success in Ireland's most coveted summer jumps prize and providing young jockey Daniel King with the biggest win of his career.

Sent off at 20-1, the eight-year-old was not among the leading selections from the powerful Mullins yard beforehand. However, after racing prominently throughout, King Alexander travelled strongly into contention behind Nouvotic before producing a decisive effort after the final fence. He had enough in reserve up the testing Galway hill to hold off the late challenge of Conyers Hill by half a length, with Gorgeous Tom close behind in third.

For Daniel King, it was a landmark triumph on one of the biggest stages of the Irish racing calendar. The young rider judged the race to perfection, keeping his mount in a smooth rhythm throughout before asking him for maximum effort at exactly the right moment.

Mullins admitted afterwards that he was struck by how easily his winner travelled from an early stage.

“I couldn't believe how well he was travelling, and jumping so well,” said the Closutton trainer.

“He kept himself in the race without having any effort. He got over the last two and then just seemed to saunter up the hill. It was amazing how well he was travelling.” 

The champion trainer felt King Alexander's ability to handle Galway's unique demands proved crucial, with many talented horses failing to cope with the track's undulations and stiff finish.

“I was disappointed with my other three, they just went out like lights coming up the hill,” Mullins said.

“Some horses don't handle Galway, but this is obviously a fella I'll be bringing back to Galway year after year.. It was a really open race and when people were considering that he was maybe our fourth choice you can see why he was 20-1."

The victory carried special significance for Mullins, who regards the Galway Plate as one of the premier prizes in the racing calendar.

“It's the race of the summer.  “The Grand National is probably the race of the winter, and maybe the Gold Cup, but when you come to the summer festivals the Galway Plate is the one everyone wants to win.” 

 There was, however, one notable absentee from the celebrations. Owner John Neocleous was unable to travel to Ballybrit in time to witness his horse's biggest success.

“John Neocleous is from Cyprus, but he's based in Dubai. He's actually on holidays in Switzerland at the moment and said he couldn't get a last-minute flight. It's a pity he's not here,” Mullins revealed before also reserving special praise for Daniel King, whose reputation continues to grow within Irish racing circles.

“He's just come on the scene for me really. He's done a bit of riding out for me and David Casey had him snared early in the month for this race. He's on fire this month,” said Mullins.

Asked if King was among the brightest young talents in the weighing room, Mullins offered a glowing endorsement.

“He appears to be and today franked that, I think,” he added.

As the packed Galway crowd roared the runners up the famous hill, it was King Alexander who dug deepest to etch his name into the history of one of Ireland's great races. For Mullins it was another memorable Ballybrit success, but for Daniel King it could prove to be the breakthrough victory that launches his career to the next level.