op jockeys Colin Keane and Dylan Browne McMonagle matched each other with a winner apiece at Gowran Park on Monday, each adding to an impressive run of form that saw the pair notch eight victories between them by week’s end.
Keane partnered Willie Mullins’ Candleford Green to a narrow success in the nine-furlong fillies’ maiden, the Barnane Stud-owned filly holding off Rocket Robyn by a head. Browne McMonagle had earlier steered Joseph O’Brien’s Mr Tony to a hard-fought win in the seven-furlong nursery handicap, just edging out Ella’s Gold by a neck.
Kells trainer Michael Mulvany continued his fine form as Gary Carroll completed a double for him, winning with Ribee in the seven-furlong handicap and later with Marjorie Law for Joe Murphy. Mulvany was back in the winner’s enclosure midweek when Ben Coen guided Velvet Skies to victory in the six-furlong handicap at Navan.
Other notable results included Matthew Smith’s Blackjack Hills taking the eight-furlong handicap under Robbie Colgan, while Ceejay Sheelan and Michael James McDonagh also impressed in competitive contests.
At Galway, Gavin Cromwell added to his tally as Will The Wise and Millforce both landed strong wins, while Noel Meade’s Sportinthepark repeated last year’s success in the handicap hurdle under Sam Ewing.
Veteran Colonel Mustard made a winning return at Sligo, giving Lorna Fowler her first success with the horse in nearly four years, and Philip Dempsey’s Alliteration ended the weekend on a high when taking the fillies’ bumper at Galway.
Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien closed in on another record-breaking year with three more Group 1 victories over the weekend, bringing his 2025 total to 25. Wins for Hawk Mountain at Doncaster and Puerto Rico and Pierre Bonnard in France leave the Ballydoyle trainer just three short of his world record ahead of next week’s Breeders’ Cup in California.
