Connections of the Paddy Twomey-trained King Cuan (GB) have said that they are optimistic about landing the €100,000 Goffs Sportsman's Challenge at Naas on Thursday afternoon and that the What's App group has been on fire since the colt won at Cork last week.
Owned by the Red Lily Racing Syndicate, which is headed by Naas native Alan Hennessy, King Cuan will come into the lucrative sales race off the back of that extremely impressive Cork display and confidence in the camp couldn't be higher.
— !
TASLEET's King Cuan wins with ease in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race at Cork for @paddytwomey and @wjlee24786
Congratulations to all connections including his breeders R F And S D Knipe ⚪️
— Shadwell Stud (@ShadwellStud) September 6, 2023
That win came after a 103-day absence, after which his trainer Twomey described the €21,000 Goffs Sportsman's buy as “a quick horse,” and connections are hopeful that the son of Tasleet (GB) will prove just that at their local track on Thursday.
“It has been a brilliant experience so far and we are really looking forward to Naas on Thursday,” Hennessy said.
“It all started last summer when I was approached to see if I'd be interested in a share in a horse and then King Cuan was bought at Goffs this time last year and it has just gone on from there.
“To be going to my local track for a €100,000 race is a dream come true and the WhatsApp group for the owners has been buzzing since the horse won at Cork last week.”
He added, “There are people like myself who got involved for the first time in a horse and there's others who have been involved in horses for many years so it is a great mix and great banter among the syndicate.
“We have people in from all over Ireland so it has been the perfect syndicate experience and it gives you a real taste for ownership. Last week at Cork was brilliant but Thursday looks a tough race so we'll cross our fingers and hope he runs well. Paddy has said he come out of the race in Cork in good form. The joke at the moment is that we might need the top hat and tails for Royal Ascot next year! It's only a joke at the moment but you never know!”
Champion jockey Colin Keane has been booked for the Clive Cox-trained James's Delight (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}) with Gavin Ryan partnering the other British-trained runner Beechwood Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) for Richard Fahey.
The first on a seven-race card on Thursday is due off at 1:55 p.m. with the Goffs Sportsman's Challenge at 3:05 p.m.
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