Racing

Billybuster finally gets off the mark for William Delahunty

Eddie O’Connell has 1,364/1 treble at Tramore comes

Andrew McNamara. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
Andrew McNamara. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
Fri Oct 11 2013 - 01:00

The well-related Billybuster secured a first career win for both himself and trainer-owner-breeder William Delahunty in the Like Tramore Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Hurdle.

As a half-brother to brilliant Nicky Richards-trained grey Monet’s Garden, it is a little disappointing Billybuster failed to get his head in front in his first 17 career starts, finishing placed on just two occasions.

However, he ran a career-best when narrowly beaten at Gowran Park last week and was the 13/8 favourite for his latest assignment, partnered by Andrew McNamara.

Soon bowling along merrily at the head of affairs, Billybuster pulled right away between the final two flights and safely negotiated the last to seal a 10-length win over Famous Ballerina.

Sold Monet's Garden
Delahunty sold Monet's Garden to Richards as a three-year-old and bred another horse of note in Strong Resolve, whose career earnings came to more than £100,000.

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The Co Kilkenny-based trainer said: “I have had my licence about five years and have four horses at the moment.

“He ran well at Gowran the last day and I knew he was in good form today. He’s bred to jump, is a half-brother to Monet’s Garden and he’ll jump a fence, too.”

Riding honours undoubtedly went to Eddie O’Connell, who bagged a superb 1,364/1 treble courtesy of The Bold Beckey (20/1), Coldstonesober (4/1) and Molinero (12/1).

O’Connell said: “That’s my third treble but my first as a fully-fledged professional which is great. My previous two trebles were as a 7lb claimer at Ballinrobe and Downpatrick.”

Camelot could use the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week as a springboard towards the Breeders’ Cup meeting in November. Trainer Aidan O’Brien is also considering a race on the Dundalk all-weather as the four-year-old former three-time Classic winner edges closer to his protracted return to the track.

O’Brien said: “He may run either in Ascot or in a Listed race a Dundalk”. Camelot has been cautiously campaigned since he suffered colic last autumn.

He has not been sighted since finishing fourth in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.