Pierre Royal secured a dramatic victory, becoming the first Irish-trained horse to win the Cambridgeshire this century. The four-year-old, guided by trainer Adrian McGuinness and jockey Mikey Sheehy, narrowly defeated Jack Channon’s Crest of Fire in a photo finish at Newmarket.
Crest of Fire seemed destined to claim the win after jockey Tom Marquand pushed him to the lead in the final moments, but the long-shot Pierre Royal, starting at 33-1, surged at the last second to cross the line first.
McGuinness praised Pierre Royal, describing him as a wonderful horse to train who is low-maintenance and easygoing. “He travels well and, like me, sometimes gets a bit big because he just eats, sleeps, and drinks,” he remarked. The trainer also highlighted the strong team behind the horse who have all enjoyed the journey with him.
The firmer ground at Newmarket played a crucial role in their success, especially since Pierre Royal had previously struggled on softer tracks in Ireland. “We only decided to come here last Monday,” McGuinness noted.
He also lauded Sheehy’s contribution, who was only booked a few days before the race. “I’m thrilled to have him. I contacted his agent just a couple of days ago because I wanted to choose someone with good luck for me. He’s top class,” said McGuinness.
Jim Goldie’s Altareq impressed with a third-place finish at 100-1 odds, while the favorite Gavriel came in fourth.
Fan Take:
This thrilling upset showcases the unpredictability and excitement that make horse racing so captivating for fans. Pierre Royal’s unexpected win not only highlights the skill of Irish trainers but also adds fresh hope for underdogs in major races, invigorating the sport’s competitive spirit.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
