We’re onto Day 3 of the Cheltenham Races for 2024 but a Laois owner is still smiling following his horse’s heroics on Tuesday.
The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle was won by Lark In The Mornin with Eagles Reign finishing just behind.
The 2nd, at odds of 80/1, is owned by Mountmellick man Tommy Ward who is well known for his scrap metal business.
Eagles Reign is trained by Ross O’Sullivan who is based in Kill in Kildare.
While Tom Harney, from Eadestown in Kildare, was the jockey who gave the horse a brilliant ride in what was his first ever at Cheltenham.
The horse scooped £16,960 and posting about the success on linkedIn, Tommy’s son Joseph Ward explained how much it all meant to the family.
A little over six months ago, Tommy suffered a heart attack and only for the great work of those in The Mater Hospital – he would not have been in Cheltenham to experience the win.
He said: “August of 2023, my father had a heart attack that almost took him from us.
“Thanks to the great work of the surgeons at the Matter Hospital Dublin, today you wouldn’t have thought his health was ever impacted.
“An incredible day for our family as oursorse, Eagle’s Reign romped to second on the Boodles race at Cheltenham at 80/1 odds.
“Much like the industry of scrap metal recycling, horse racing is filled with people of dreams, high aspirations and diligent, hard work that seek opportunity through consistent graft.
“My father got into horse racing after the death of my mother and today, after 20 years of trying, he got his horse to the finish line.
“An incredible achievement and one that makes me proud to see him achieve what he deserves.
“Many thanks to Ross O’Sullivan and Katie Walsh as trainers, Tom Harney as jockey on his first race at Cheltenham.
“And one of my closest mates and boss Josh Mulholland for making sure I got to take the time out of work to be with my father on this special day.
“I dare say, it’ll never be lived down.”
Horse Racing Ireland captured Tommy’s brilliant reaction to the closing stages of the race as he roared his charge and jockey up the Cheltenham hill.
Check it out below:
When your 80/1 shot lands a shock second 😅
Owner Tommy Ward was loving every second of that performance from Eagles Reign! #GreenTeam #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/6q32kVM3WA
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) March 12, 2024
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