John O’Shea enjoyed a magical day at Randwick, winning the $500,000 Inglis Nursery with Saltaire and topping it off with stable favourite Kirwan’s Lane leading home a quinella in the $2,000,000 Group II The Ingham (1600m).\
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, the 6yo son of Charm Spirit denied Irishman Ben Coen on stablemate Lion’s Roar (Contributer) by a half-neck with a short-neck back to Atishu (Savabeel), who made it an all-New Zealand-bred finish.
With his third stakes win, Kirwan’s Lane advances his record to eleven wins, four seconds, and four thirds from 38 starts with earnings of $1,823,475.
“It’s a great honour for our team, particularly to do it for Ron (Finemore) and his owners,” O’Shea said.
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uo;A perfect ride by Brenton. We were so happy with him coming into the race, I just felt the 57 (kilos) may be a bit much for him. That was the only issue I had with him, the ground was fine.
"We knew that (runner-up) Lion’s (Roar) was ready to run a big race, so we were really happy with all their runs. Poor Diamil (13th), he got held up on the inside so we’ll find another day for him.
“He (Kirwan’s Lane) was one of the first horses I bought when I first came back training. It’s a special time to be doing it for good people.
“He is (almost) the most winning-est horse I’ve trained. My darling wife (Isabelle) will be in some hotel in New York styling up and enjoying it, no doubt. She has got a share in him so she will be pretty excited.
“I’ve got to stay home and work so she can play.”
John O'Shea Racing shelled out $170,000 for Kirwan’s Lane from the Little Avondale Stud draft at Karaka in 2018.
A brother to the Listed winner Johnny Johnny, Kirwan’s Lane is the best of three winners from as many to race from the Savabeel mare Galway, a sister to dual Group 1 winner Shillelagh, Group II Brisbane Brisbane Cup winner Tullamore, and Listed winner Grazia.
Galway has a 2yo colt by American Pharoah (USA), a yearling colt by Pierro, and was covered last year by Magna Grecia (IRE).
Triple Group 1 winner Charm Spirit has two yearlings catalogued for Book 1 at Karaka and six in Book 2.
