The Grade 3 Kerry National is Wednesday’s feature race at Listowel. Won by Willie Mullins last year courtesy of Spanish Harlem, the great trainer is back to defend his crown with a strong team, with storylines abounding from local jockey Jack Kennedy‘s chance, to Daniel King and King Alexander‘s budding partnership.
Here are the storylines for Wednesday 23 September as racing also remembers Hurricane Fly, who passed away on Tuesday aged 22.
Kerry National: Kennedy & King up for Listowel’s feature cup
The Grade 3 Kerry National has grown in prominence in recent seasons. The big yards have targeted the race again, with County Kerry’s own jockey Jack Kennedy in with a chance of securing the prize on Wednesday. Kennedy will partner Gordon Elliott’s Nowwhatdoyouthink, who may also go off as favourite for the race. The 27-year-old has twice finished second in the race without winning it, while Elliott is without a win in the contest since 2017. (The Irish Times)
There is also the possibility of a pair of Kings trumping the lot. Daniel King and King Alexander forged a potent partnership when landing the Galway Plate over the summer. They are reunited in a bid for history; no horse has won the Galway Plate/Kerry National double for 31 years. King Alexander is one of six horses in the race for Willie Mullins, who seeks back-to-back successes in the race. (Irish Independent)
Hurricane Fly remembered
Hurricane Fly’s passing sent waves of nostalgia through the racing industry on Tuesday. The two-time former Champion Hurdler passed away aged 22. Both trainer Mullins and regular rider Ruby Walsh paid fitting and heartwarming tributes, the former stating that “he was such a proper horse,” while the latter heralded his all-round gifts: “He had speed, class, he stayed and was in my eyes, for a little horse, the perfect horse.” (Sporting Life)
Newmarket Cambridgeshire meeting on the horizon
Looking ahead to the remainder of the racing week, and flat racing’s headquarters will come into focus. Newmarket hosts its first meeting on the Rowley Mile since the spring, with the Cambridgeshire Handicap the Saturday feature. The meeting begins on Thursday, with the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes and Listed Rose Bowl Stakes the two highlights. Friday’s runners will be declared this morning, with Saturday’s fields under the microscope from Thursday onwards.
Today’s Racing
Listowel’s Harvest Festival reaches its peak on Wednesday as the Kerry National takes place. The feature contest of the week is a competitive handicap which provides a pathway to the jumps season proper.
Listowel — seven races · feature: Kerry National (Grade 3) · going: good, good-to-yielding in places
Plus Goodwood, Kempton, Perth & Redcar.
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