Philip Polly, the owner from County Down, secured his first Group 1 victory with Affordale Fury in the exciting Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday. Trained by Noel Meade, the seven-year-old horse ran a strong and confident race over the three miles.
Much of the pre-race buzz had centered around a potential rematch of the Cheltenham Gold Cup showdown in March between Inotewayursinkin and Galopin des Champs, but that anticipated duel didn’t happen this time. Instead, the red and black colors were in full celebration as Sam Ewing guided Affordable Fury, the 7-1 odds horse, to a decisive victory.
Polly expressed his joy to RTE Sport, saying, “It’s unbelievable, it’s been an amazing week. We won the bumper on Boxing Day and now we’ve stepped up to win the Savills.” The race saw Champ Keely fall early while Affordale Fury surged ahead against a large field. Approaching the final two hurdles, the race was wide open until the favorite, Galopin des Champs, made a move. However, Galopin des Champs finished third after a strong challenge from 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus, who claimed second at long odds of 50-1.
The day marked an impressive period for jockey Sam Ewing, who had already ridden Favorie de Chande and Solness to Grade 1 wins the previous day. Ewing commented, “I wanted to come into the first game feeling good and positive and see where I land. He’s really strong and confident, showed great spirit over the winged fence, and he’s a proper developing horse.”
In another highlight, Te Aupo claimed victory in the Christmas Hurdle, narrowly beating Bob Olinger, who finished second. This added another Group 1 win for trainer Gordon Elliott, who had already achieved four wins and two graded wins at Leopardstown on Saturday. Rocky’s Diamond led early but was overtaken by Jack Kennedy’s Te Aupo before the penultimate hurdle. Despite Bob Olinger’s challenge, Te Aupo maintained the lead with Ballyburn taking third.
Kennedy praised the horse’s performance, saying, “When I jumped out in front at the second-to-last and headed for the straight, he did really well. He means a lot to me and everyone involved. Horses like him are rare.”
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Fan Take: This thrilling outcome with Affordale Fury breaking through for a first Group 1 win adds fresh excitement and unpredictability to the sport, highlighting the rising talents in horse racing. For fans, it emphasizes the depth of competition and the thrilling narratives that keep the sport engaging season after season.
