By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races
Taghmon jockey Sean O’Keeffe, who rode a treble at Wexford on Sunday, returned to his local track today (Bank Holiday Monday) and teamed up with Paul Nolan, who saddled a double yesterday, for more success.
Nolan’s Sageborough (20/1) scored by two and a half lengths in the maiden hurdle with O’Keeffe in the saddle. Nolan was present today but yesterday he decided to travel to Wexford Park to watch his local club Davidstown-Courtnacuddy win the Wexford intermediate hurling title. “We always like coming here and they normally have the ground in great shape. It’s a brilliant track since they went left-handed. It’s been a lucky track for us, so why not come here,” said the Davidstown trainer.
Another popular winner was Bannow Blaze (10/3 fav) running in the colours of the Zero Three Champs Syndicate from the Bannow region. Trained by Jonathan Fogarty at Gaynestown, Cleariestown, and ridden by Eoin Staples, Duncormick, he had two and a quarter lengths to spare in the handicap hurdle. “That was brilliant, the owners are local to me at home. I’m only 15 minutes from here and they are not much further. Johnny and Mikey Fogarty are only a stone’s throw away from me at home. It’s a local winner and I got a good kick out of that,” said Staples.
Wexford’s only Listed Race is the Michael Hickey Memorial Chase and it attracted only four runners. Victory went the way of Blizzard Of Oz (11/8) for the Willie Mullins/Paul Townend champion combination.
Amateur jockey Adam Ryan won the bumper on both days. Today he was on Minella Jury (7/1) for John Nallen who beat Gordon Elliott’s Riskaway by a short head.
Francis Casey made the trip from North County Dublin to saddle Rock Ya Biy Ya (6/1) in the novice hurdle, and it all worked out well with a four lengths success ridden by seven-pound claimer Alix Balfe.
Ring Of Kerry (6/4 fav) won a maiden hurdle for Meath trainer Cian Collins with Danny Gilligan in the saddle.
Fleur In The Park (11/10) had eight lengths to spare at the finish of the beginners’ chase for Tipperary trainer Andrew Slattery and ridden by Cian Quirke.
Today’s Wexford races were well attended, and the weather was much better than Sunday’s fare. It was the last Wexford races of 2025 – the new 2026 season begins on Monday, March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day.
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