Thyestes triumph for Flanagan
29th Jan 2010

Sean Flanagan (grad. 2005) helped trainer Jimmy Mangan achieve a life-long ambition when Whinstone Boy claimed the valuable Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on 21^st January. The Mallow handler was emulating his father Paddy, who claimed the prize back in 1981 with June's Friend and it was the biggest success for Mangan since Monty's Pass claimed the Grand National in 2003.

21-year-old Flanagan, completing a quick double on the high-profile card, was always handy on the nine-year-old and had a great duel with Siegemaster from before the turn.

He got the better of that rival going to the last and it was Hangover who came through to chase him home. The Supreme Leader gelding showed plenty of stamina to keep on well and score by a length-and-three-quarters. The winner was the subject of a good gamble, backed from 14/1 in the morning and eventually returning 5/1 when claiming the €58,000 first prize.

This was the Enniscorthy man’s biggest win over fences, although he has two bigger prize-money wins to his credit over hurdles, having won the Ballymore 25^th Anniversary Handicap on Brave Right at the 2008 Punchestown festival and the Pierse Handicap Hurdle on Penny’s Bill at Leopardstown a year ago.

He said: “He was a bit keen early on, so I let him stride on before he settled, I was going to ride Merry Cowboy when it looked as if Whinstone Boy wasn’t going to get in so it was very good of the owners to let me switch when Jimmy’s horse made the cut”.

Pic: Sean Flanagan aboard Whinstone Boy on his way to Thyestes glory

This News Article Relates To: Sean Flanagan
Who graduated from the Race Academy in 2005

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