Considine back among the winners with Dennehys Cross

The Summerhill-based handler, whose last success came with Grand Albert in the corresponding race at the venue back in April 2023, admitted she had been hopeful beforehand, although conditions on the day caused some concern.

 

“We did fancy him, but when we went to the field and saw all the trucks being pulled in, we got a little bit worried. There was a lot more rain there than we had.

 

“But everything we’ve done with him, he’s always performed. He’d never do anything flash, but he’s always there, so we knew he’d run a good race.”

 

Ridden by the in-form Joey Dunne, Dennehys Cross was left in front after the two principal contenders departed on the final circuit, but still had to show his battling qualities to get the job done.

 

“He was always comfortable going around. Joey said he’d nearly have preferred if they had stayed in it and towed him along a bit more, but look, he did what he had to do.

 

“He’s a brilliant jumper and always has been, so that stood to him.”

 

The son of Mukhadram had been given plenty of time to mature, having not run as a four-year-old.

 

“We’ve had him since he was a yearling. He was just a bit babyish last year, more so in his head than anything else, so we gave him time.

 

“This year he’s been very professional, so I think it stood to him.”

 

The victory also represented a notable milestone for the yard, providing Considine with her first debut winner between the flags.

 

“That was my first, first time-out winner, so that was a big milestone. I’ve come close a couple of times before, so it was nice to get that.”

 

Dennehys Cross is now likely to be aimed at the sales, with his handler confirming that his job on the track is complete.

 

“We’re finished with him now and we’ll go to the sale with him.”

 

Earlier in the season, Considine had already hinted at the promise within her small string, with Gallant George finishing second at Borris House in late November before being sold and is now in training with Ian Donoghue, while on the same card Redbarn produced a solid effort to finish third in the mares’ maiden.

 

“She ran a lovely race the last day. She wouldn’t like that kind of heavy ground, so we’re just waiting for a bit of nicer ground for her. She’s a fine, big mare, so you’d be hopeful she’ll do the business the next day.”

 

Considine operates on a relatively small scale in point-to-pointing, but her wider operation is far more extensive, with around 200 horses on the farm spanning thoroughbreds, youngstock and sport horses, producing and selling jumpers and eventers as well as stores.

She was quick to pay tribute to her staff, stressing that it takes a big team effort behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.

 

“We’d have a couple of hundred between everything, from foals up to four-year-olds. The thoroughbreds are done first thing in the morning and then we move on to the half-breds.”

 

Her husband Dermot oversees much of the buying and selling side of the business, while the couple’s three sons, Cóilí (15), Timmy (13) and Danny (9), are already becoming involved in the day-to-day running.

 

“They’re all interested. The middle lad rides out and he was actually riding this fella at home, so he was delighted with him.

 

“The eldest is more into the farming side and the youngest is getting going now as well.”

 

Despite her small string, Considine has already proven her ability to produce top-class performers, most notably sourcing Shishkin after purchasing him for €28,000 at the Tattersalls Derby Sale.

He went on to win his point-to-point at Lingstown before being sold for £170,000 at the 2018 Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale, and developed into a multiple Grade 1 winner under Rules for Nicky Henderson.

 

While she admits it can be difficult to maintain consistency with limited numbers, she remains patient with her young horses, a policy that paid off with Dennehys Cross.

 

“When you have small numbers, it’s hard to have the quality all the time, but we’d generally come up with one.

 

“We have a couple of nice four-year-olds there, but I don’t know whether we’ll run them or leave them until the autumn. If they’re a bit weak, I’d rather give them time.”

With Dennehys Cross now set to head to the sales, Redbarn heads a promising group of youngsters that could yet add to Considine’s tally before the season is out.