Image © Healy Racing
Kilbarry Lodge Stud-resident Success Days produced his first points winner with his first runner as If You Believe ran out an impressive winner at Lingstown.
The Michael Murphy-trained newcomer made virtually all the running in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden at the Wexford venue under Darragh Higgins. The grey, who was well-touted beforehand, fenced fluently throughout and came home an easy four-and-a-half length victor from Centauri Star.
Handler Murphy was very complimentary of his charge whom he holds in high esteem.
“He’s a lovely horse. Alan Kavanagh [son of the winning breeder] rang me last night and I told him that he’s never been off the bridle at home and that he’s a very, very good horse.
“He’s a scopey horse, and you won’t get a better-looking horse or better-moving horse than him.”
Running in the colours of Redbridge Stables, If You Believe was picked up by connections for €30,000 at last year’s Goffs Arkle Sale. Out of Graces Island, a half-sister to three-time track winner Gracemount, this grey looks to be a smashing future prospect.
The highest-rated son of Group 2-winning miler, Jeremy, Success Days was trained on the Curragh by Ken Condon. He was a winner of six races during his career, from 7 furlongs to 1 and a quarter miles, between the ages of 2 and 5.
His victories include the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes, the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes, the Group 3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes and the Group 3 Kilfrush Stud Royal Whip Stakes. He has also multiple placings at various Group levels under his belt.
Retired to Kilbarry Stud in Waterford in 2020, his first crop of four-year-olds are now emerging for 2025. Despite an initial batch of 36 foals, his offspring has already caught the eye in the sales ring, with his foals fetching up to €70,000 and his three-year-old fillies topping the 2024 Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale.
To date, there have been five hunter certificates registered for Success Days’ prodigy. Tom Keating, Cormac Abernethy, Mark Scallan and Rob James are among the handlers yet to produce Success Days-sired debutants.
For more information on Success Days please visit:
Also standing at Kilbarry Stud are:
Harzand
Diamond Boy
Pillar Coral
