The astutely placed and cannily ridden Minnie Dahill took centre stage on the opening night of the July Festival as she bagged the Drogheda Traders Plate (Q.R.) Handicap to give jockey Jody Townsend her third winner on the track.
The Ted Walsh-trained bottom-weight lined up off a rating of just 57 but the decision to tackle this €25,000 contest was well rewarded. The daughter of Finsceal Fior and the Royal Ascot runner-up Elyaadi notched up her first success on the level. In truth there was hardly an anxious moment for the 13/2 shot throughout this mile and three-quarter event.
Jody Townend allowed her to set a steady pace and the pair the quickened into a good lead with over two furlongs to run after which they were never in any danger. At the line, Minnie Dahill had half a dozen lengths to spare over Political Policy.
“Jody is a smashing little rider. Both Katie and Ruby recommended her. She rides out in Willies (Mullins) and has the pedigree too – her father was a good rider and her brother Paul is a former champion”, reflected Walsh.
Minnie Dahill is “owned by Micheal Ryan whose father, Michael, was as decent a man as I’ve ever trained horses for. Everything worked out well for this mare tonight and it’s great to win a pot like that with her. She’ll probably mix it between the flat and hurdles”.
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