Dylan Browne McMonagle shines with Goodwood double

Dylan Browne McMonagle excelled in the saddle once again at Goodwood when a fine ride aboard Galen sealed a day four double for the Irish champion jockey and trainer Joseph O’Brien.

A respectable fourth in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot, Galen was sent off the 3-1 favourite for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes, with the Irish pilot seizing the initiative quickly into the contest and going on to lead his rivals a merry dance.

The opposition lined up to make their challenge inside the last two furlongs, but try as they might they could not get past the five-year-old, who was a neck too good for runner-up Boiling Point at the finish.

“He’s a front-running horse, he doesn’t like to come from behind. He’s got a good cruising speed but he doesn’t have a huge amount in a finish, ” said co-owner Paul Redmond.

“The plan was to try and get out quick and get the rail, he could dominate from there and once he got round the final bend it was hard to stop him.

“He likes to be in front. His ideal distance is a mile and one (furlong) and we knew he’d hang on until the bitter end.

“Onwards and upwards now, hopefully he’ll be back to Group Three level for his next race.”

The winning rider added: “He’s a lovely horse, very straightforward. He’s been all around the world and he deserves to get his day in the sun.

“Coming here today, we were confident. He’s been running well against the same horses, even at Ascot, I was confident that he would turn round the form with them.

“He’s definitely improved for it and Joseph has had him in good shape.

“It’s a tough week’s racing so I’m delighted to get a few winners for the boss.

“We have a good team over here. Joseph has his horses in unbelievable form, they’ve been running all year round in tip-top shape and coming over here with the horses in such good order, you’d have to be confident that they were going to get something.”

Browne McMonagle had already been seen to great effect in the opening Coral Goodwood Handicap when a decisive move aboard O’Brien’s Defiantly (11-4 favourite) paid dividends in the marathon contest.

The chestnut arrived at the meeting having gone incredibly close when beaten just a head in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal fixture and having kicked clear a long way from home, still had three lengths to spare.

Australia Bloodstock’s Rob McInnes said: “I actually vetted the horse for Australia Bloodstock and liked him – it’s the first horse I have kept a share in.

“He’s just a real, genuine one-paced stayer, he hasn’t got any acceleration but he just keeps going. Joseph trained him for Royal Ascot to just keep going and he’s done the same again today.

“We know the horse hasn’t got an extra turn of foot, so we had to take the speed out of all the other horses. The plan was always to take the sprint out of everything else and keep on going because we knew he wouldn’t stop.”

He added: “It’s a great, great festival – up there in the top three that I have been to. I’m here to enjoy here and have a great time, it’s a bonus to have a share in a horse that’s won.”