Harry’s Bar gave his new owners Shamrock Thoroughbreds and Swords Bloodstock a dream start on Friday at Dundalk in the Listed Belgrave Stakes. It completed a 1-2 for the stable and the same connections with Laugh a Minute beaten a neck at the line in second. Harry’s Bar was purchased only 8 days previously at the horses in training sales at Newmarket and gave his new owners a quick return in the €37,500 contest. He was given a fine ride by Wayne Lordan who sat just off the pace and was ridden to challenge two furlongs from home. Laugh a Minute was held up off the pace and was short of room at a vital stage but finished strong to finish second at the line.
“These are two high class sprinters and the plan is to give both horses a break with the aim of more all-weather success in the New Year. Hopefully we can qualify both horses for the All-Weather Championships at Lingfield in the Spring. We only have Harry’s Bar 8 days and that was very impressive tonight considering he has been to the sales and endured the travel to Ireland and new surroundings. You’d have to upgrade the performance. I was delighted with Laugh a Minute and had he got a clear run at a vital stage of the race, he was the one to take out of the race”, commented a delighted Ado McGuinness.
Eglish provided winning connections of Harry’s Bar a fine double on the evening when taking the 7 furlong 0-65 contest under a powerful ride from Champion Apprentice Gavin Ryan.
“She is a filly not winning out of turn and really enjoys the surface here at Dundalk. She’s now a 4 time winner at the track and we will look for something similar next”, added McGuinness.
Stephen Thorne who is managing director of Shamrock Thoroughbreds also commented, “It has been a special night all round with a double provided by Eglish and Harry’s Bar and also a 1-2 in the feature race of the night, the Listed Belgrave Stakes with Harry’s Bar and Laugh a Minute. It is great to partner with Swords Bloodstock on recent purchase Harry’s Bar and we have got the partnership off to the perfect start”.