Join us for an exhilarating day at Tramore, where esteemed trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Sean Flanagan deliver outstanding performances, showcasing emerging talents and seasoned skills in a thrilling display of horse racing excellence.
The Tuesday card at Tramore featured impressive displays from two of the sport's most esteemed personalities, as Willie Mullins achieved a double victory and jockey Sean Flanagan secured two wins of his own. The exhilarating day showcased a number of emerging young horses while experienced riders and trainers demonstrated their skills in managing both high expectations and challenging conditions.
Willie Mullins quickly established his influence, finishing the day with two strong performances that reinforced his reputation as one of the top trainers in the sport. The French-bred horse Karniquet was the first to hit the track in the 2025 Annual Badge at Tramore Maiden Hurdle, where he justified his 4-5 favourite odds with a remarkable win.
Following Mullins’ victory in this race in 2022 with the impressive Gaelic Warrior, Karniquet showcased his talent by decisively defeating his market competitor, Downmemorylane. Although the low sun made visibility difficult and resulted in only four hurdles being jumped, the gelding's exceptional ability was apparent as he pulled away during the long stretch, ultimately finishing 11 lengths in front.
Jockey Paul Townend expressed high praise for his horse, stating, “He provided me with a wonderful feeling during the race. His experience in France was advantageous, particularly on challenging ground. Although the pace wasn’t brisk, he handled it well. He is a tall, slender horse with ample potential for improvement – I am optimistic he will develop into a fine competitor.”
Completing Mullins' double was Sortudo, who won the Garrarus Beach Ladies Pro-Am Flat Race in commanding style. The 2-5 favorite, who had previously secured second place to the highly esteemed Ma Jacks Hill in his only point-to-point race, was consistently moving well under Jody Townend. His burst of speed at the dip was particularly noteworthy, allowing him to pull away and achieve a comfortable victory by 5.5 lengths over the outsider Pounds At The Time.
Patrick Mullins praised the Authorized gelding, commenting, “Jody did an excellent job in settling him down. Authorized is a remarkable sire, and Sortudo shows significant potential for improvement. This is a thrilling prospect and could become one of the top bumper horses in our stable this season. We are considering Leopardstown at Christmas as his next objective.”
Although Mullins' stable was performing exceptionally well, it was Sean Flanagan who captured the attention in the latter part of the event, achieving a remarkable double that showcased his tactical skill and strong connections with his horses.
In the Mares Maiden Hurdle on New Year’s Day, Flanagan steered The Great Nudie to victory, marking the first part of his impressive 53/1 double. Previously a point-to-point winner, the mare displayed her competitive spirit by defeating the 7-4 favorite Sainte Tartare in the closing moments of the race. Flanagan praised her jumping skills, stating, “She’s an exceptional jumper, and it would have suited her better if all the hurdles had been jumped. While she’s a solid point-to-point winner, she didn’t seem like a bumper mare. There’s still a lot more potential in her.”
Flanagan secured his second victory with a determined ride on Roxhill Roise in the Book A Table for New Year’s Day Mares Handicap Hurdle. Having already won at Tramore earlier in the spring, the mare showed great resilience to outlast Lilian Bland, achieving a tough half-length win. Trainer David O'Brien, known for his impressive track record, lauded the mare’s development, stating, “She performs well and is steadily improving. She thrives on the soft ground. I'm delighted for her owners, the Cairde Gaoil Syndicate – they’re enjoying a wonderful experience with her.”
Jockey Keith Donoghue made a significant impact at Tramore, demonstrating his expertise in the chasing category with two victories. His initial success came on Jouster in the Eddie McDonald Beginners Chase, where the horse trained by Gavin Cromwell outperformed the 2-1 favourite Pipers Boreen to secure a valuable win. With odds at 51-1, the performance served as a testament to the sport's unpredictability, where class frequently shines through even in the most difficult situations.
Donoghue's second win came while riding Portarlington, who had previously made a strong impression with a notable victory over hurdles. During the Ladies Cove Handicap Chase, the five-year-old gelding demonstrated his stamina, managing to outlast Bite That for a deserving victory. Trainer Ian Donoghue, who is Keith's brother, stated that Portarlington holds exciting potential and is expected to return to the track at Clonmel next Tuesday.
