Superb victory for Gigginstown star
Michael O’Leary hailed Gordon Elliott’s remarkable milestone achievement after Brighterdaysahead stormed to victory in Leopardstown’s Christmas festival finale, giving the trainer his 100th Grade One career success in Sunday’s feature race.
Carrying the Gigginstown Stud colours, the mare obliterated the opposition in the €150,000 Neville Hotels Hurdle, winning by an astonishing 30 lengths. O’Leary, who made a rare appearance to mark the occasion, said: “I’m very proud to be associated with Gordon and Cullentra, and 100 Grade Ones is a remarkable achievement in such a short period of time.”
The Ryanair boss joked about the mare’s Cheltenham target, saying: “I’d go for the Mares Hurdle! But we’ll have a chat about it closer to Cheltenham. Ultimately Gordon and Eddie will probably decide, and I’ll be overruled!”
The race had been billed as a clash between Brighterdaysahead and reigning Champion Hurdle winner State Man but instead became a dazzling solo performance. The victory may encourage Elliott and O’Leary to aim their star mare at Constitution Hill in Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle in March.
“You dream about doing something like that, but it’s a testament to all the owners and our staff,” remarked Elliott when reflecting on his dual milestone day. Earlier, The Enabler, another Gigginstown runner, became the Co Meath trainer’s 2,000th National Hunt winner in Ireland.
O’Leary’s unwavering support has been pivotal to Elliott’s resurgence following a turbulent period in his career. After enduring a six-month licence suspension and significant public scrutiny, Elliott credited O’Leary and his brother Eddie for their loyalty. “It’s good to get it for the lads who’ve supported me through thick and thin,” Elliott said. “I’ve got a brilliant bunch of owners, great staff, but these men have backed me the whole way.”
The day’s crowning moment came as Brighterdaysahead sealed Elliott’s ‘century’ landmark, an achievement surpassed only by his great rival Willie Mullins.
The top trainer was non-committal about plans for the Gigginstown star. “I just want to have a winner on the Tuesday at Cheltenham, whichever race that is. We’ll enjoy today and make a plan. I don’t see why we wouldn’t go to the Dublin Racing Festival (Irish Champion Hurdle), but let’s see,” he said.
Former champion Jockey Sir Anthony McCoy has praised the impressive display by Brighterdaysahead and said he feels the Gigginstown Stud star should aim for a Champion Hurdle showdown with Constitution Hill, who was also very impressive when winning at Kempton over Christmas.