Gallagher eyes GAIN Mares Final prize

Supported by GAIN Equine Nutrition, the much-loved series has become a key target for connections across the country, with Ballynoe long established as the traditional home of the finale since its inception in 1987 as the Waterford Co-Op GAIN Final.

 

This year’s renewal has attracted 11 entries, although several hold alternative engagements, and the final field is likely to take shape closer to declarations.

 

One horse that is sure to be a leading contender is the Eamonn Gallagher-trained Oh My Jenny, who arrives as one of the more improving mares in the line-up following a productive campaign.

 

The six-year-old daughter of Soldier Of Fortune has improved steadily with experience, finishing a close second at Ballindenisk in November before returning to the same venue in January to open her account.

She has since taken another step forward, landing a winners-of-one contest at Knockanard last month, where she showed a willing attitude to get the better of Sworn Duty by a length and a half under Johnny Barry.

 

That Knockanard form could prove particularly significant, with several of those rivals set to reoppose here, including Sworn Duty and Time In A Bottle.

 

Owned by the Dee Lads Partnership, a group of friends from Cork and Tipperary with strong links to the greyhound racing scene, the mare also carries the colours of the late Peter Magnier, with his son Ed involved in the syndicate.

 

Gallagher explained that the ownership came together in typically informal fashion.

 

“I met the lads at a wedding and they said they’d get involved in a horse if I got involved in a dog,” he said. “They went ahead and got involved in the horse anyway — I never ended up with the dog!

 

“They’re big into the dog scene, but they’re great supporters and it’s brilliant to have them involved. It’s a nice touch that she runs in the Magnier colours as well.”

 

Few will have a more locally significant runner on the day than Gallagher, who is based in Conna, just ten minutes from Ballynoe and also serves as one of the clerks of the course at the venue.

 

“It’s a big thing down around here,” he said. “I’m one of the clerks of the course as well, so I’ll be there in 10 or 15 minutes from the house. It would mean a lot to win it.”

 

The race already holds a strong place in the Gallagher family story, with Pennymaid landing the final in 2002, while Eamonn’s brother Eoin enjoyed notable success in the saddle, winning the race on four occasions.

 

“My brother Eoin won it four times as a jockey and we won it with Pennymaid, so we’re going for number six in different terms now,” he added.

 

Oh My Jenny’s campaign has been carefully mapped out with this race in mind from an early stage, and Gallagher has been encouraged by her continued progression throughout the season.

 

“This was the plan from the start.

 

“When she finished second first time out, I said hopefully she’d win her maiden and we’d aim her towards the GAIN Mares’ Series Final.

 

“She’s in great form and she’s improving all the time. She’s come forward again since Knockanard.”

 

Her latest success saw her get the better of rivals she is set to meet again, giving her form a solid and relevant look heading into Sunday.

 

“She beat Paul Pierce’s mare Sworn Duty and Sam Curling’s mare Time In A Bottle, so the form is there. It’s a hot race though and there are a few with chances.”

 

While her wellbeing leaves little to question, Gallagher did point to the ground as a potential factor.

 

“My only negative would be the ground. She loves heavy ground and stamina, but she’s in great form so hopefully she’ll run a big race.”

 

Described as a straightforward mare to train, Oh My Jenny has thrived on a patient approach, with her runs spaced out throughout the season.

 

“She’s a very easy mare to train. She doesn’t take much galloping, but she likes a bit of time between her runs. It’s worked out well this year, giving her a month between runs and building towards this.”

 

Gallagher, who operates on a relatively small scale, has enjoyed an excellent season to date, recording three winners from just four runners in point-to-points - a notable 75 per cent strike-rate. Two of those victories have come courtesy of Oh My Jenny, while Thermal Overload added further success at Tallow in February, underlining the current form of the yard.

 

 

Gallagher is helped in the yard by Ailish Lamb, while his ten-year-old son Daniel — who will lead up Oh My Jenny on Sunday — is already taking a keen interest in the yard’s runners.

 

The yard has also enjoyed success on the track with Onefortheditch, a three-time winner under Rules who has been running consistently well in handicap company this season.

 

Looking ahead to Sunday, Gallagher is under no illusions about the task at hand.

 

“It’s a fantastic initiative, particularly with the €3,000 bonus on offer,” he said. “You only have to look at last year’s winner, Carry On Heidi, who went on and did very well on the track, to see the level of mare it can produce.

 

“But locally, it’s all about the bragging rights. Winning the GAIN Final around here is like winning a Gold Cup. It’s great to have a runner in it, and even better to have one with a genuine chance.”

With strong local support assured and a mare arriving in peak condition, Gallagher will head to Ballynoe hoping Oh My Jenny can provide a fitting home success in one of the most prestigious mares’ contests of the season.