Five-star glory for Kenny, as McCarthy and Ryan also score

Amhrán na bhFiann has gotten a good airing around the world in the past few days, with Darragh Kenny, Simon McCarthy (twice) and Thomas Ryan registering victories. Kenny bagged a five-star prize at Wellington International in the early hours of Friday morning Irish time, navigating Oakland Stables newcomer Zero K around the challenging course set by designer Alan Wade without blemish on two occasions, stopping the clock on 34.86 seconds in the jump-off to enter the winner’s circle. The 11-year-old mare was careful first time around, but with Kenny offering expert guidance, put on the after-burners in the jump-off, leaving a high-class opposition for dust in a scintillating display to earn a cheque for £38,313. They were 1.21 seconds faster than Israel’s runner-up Daniel Bluman on Gemma W, with Spencer Smith (USA) third on Keeneland. “I’ve been getting to know the mare a lot better through circuit because I only […]