Mac Swiney edged out stable companion Poetic Flare to win the Irish 2000 Guineas in difficult conditions and give trainer Jim Bolger a one-two at the Curragh.
The race was run in a heavy rain shower as Rory Cleary, riding by far the biggest winner of his career, set out to make all on Mac Swiney, and his rivals dropped away one by one.
An elated Rory Cleary returns on Mac Swiney (Pic – The Curragh Racecourse)
Mac Swiney, a Gr1 winner at two, had disappointed on his return to action in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, but was subsequently found to be suffering from a nasal discharge.
Poetic Flare was already running in his third Classic of the season, having won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket before finishing only sixth in the French version just six days ago.
Only his stablemate put up a challenge and Kevin Manning looked to be travelling marginally the better.
However, just when Manning began to ask his mount for everything, Poetic Flare hung across the track slightly, eventually being beaten a short head in the 100th running of the Classic. Van Gogh stayed on to be third. Coral cut Mac Swiney to 7-1 from 20s for the Cazoo Derby next month.
Cleary was thrilled to have landed an Irish Classic, but admitted he was struggling to register his achievement. He said: “I still can’t believe it. I was quietly nervous about having to ride him. I’ve never ridden a fancied horse in it – in a big race – never mind a Classic.
“He’s such a special horse to get a ride on. The boss this morning just told me to jump out good and smart and ride a race on him and see how it unfolds. The further we went, the better he was going under me, and he stayed at it so well. I think the ground, with it being a bit on the wet side, his stamina really came into play.
“He’s so honest – I just can’t believe I’m after winning the Guineas. Kevin [Manning on Poetic Flare] came to me and we quickened away together again. I think they’re two very smart horses. My lad really just stuck his head out for me. I think somebody was looking down on me because they made it easy for me.”
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