Race Overview and Results

Oh My Word,⁣ trained by Tom Cleary and ridden by‌ Derek O’Connor, emerged ‌victorious​ in⁣ the Irish Stallion ​Farms EBF ‍Future Champions⁣ INH Flat ⁤Race at Navan on December 14, 2023.⁢ The race featured a small field of just four⁢ runners.

Panjandrum,a recent winner at Clonmel,attempted to lead from the⁢ start but was overtaken by Oh My Word in⁤ the ⁣final stages. Oh My Word,who ‌previously⁤ won ⁢at Navan four weeks prior at odds of​ 33-1,demonstrated that‌ victory was no fluke,finishing ‍11 lengths ahead of Panjandrum at odds of 11-4.

Ancient⁢ context and Gordon Elliott’s Dominance

The ‌Irish ​Stallion farms⁢ EBF⁤ Future Champions INH Flat Race has a rich history, frequently enough showcasing horses destined for success in National‌ hunt racing. Notably,⁣ trainer Gordon ​elliott had dominated the race, winning⁣ eight of the nine previous runnings.

Elliott’s past winners include notable horses such as Samcro (2016),Envoi Allen (2018),and ⁤Sir Gerhard (2020),highlighting the race’s importance as a proving ground for future‍ champions. ‍ This ⁣year, Elliott was represented by Panjandrum, who ultimately fell short of continuing the stable’s winning streak ‍after⁣ stablemate Keep Him Company was withdrawn.

Oh My Word’s Upset Victory

Oh ‌My Word’s ‌victory was⁤ particularly noteworthy given his‍ previous long-odds win. The horse joined panjandrum for​ the ⁢lead approaching the home turn,​ and under a confident ride from Derek O’Connor, sprinted clear to secure a decisive win. The performance ‌suggests​ significant ‌potential for the young horse.

Trainer Tom ‍Cleary’s‌ Reaction

Athlone-based trainer Tom Cleary expressed his⁢ delight with Oh My Word’s ⁣performance, describing him ‍as‌ a “lovely horse.” [Source: Racing Post] Further details regarding Cleary’s plans for the horse’s future were not immediately available.