Image © Healy Racing
Blackwater-based handler Grace Kelly recorded her first success when Another Classic struck in the opening five-year-old mares’ maiden at Tyrella on Saturday, making the long journey north from Wexford a memorable one.
Ridden by Shane Cotter, the daughter of Shantaram produced a polished display to overturn the hot favourite Sky Blue Ribbon, quickening clear after the final fence to score readily by three and a half lengths. The victory marked a significant milestone for Kelly, who sent out her first runners during the 2020/21 season.
“Absolutely brilliant, to be honest,” Kelly said. “I thought it was never going to happen for a little while, so it was lovely to finally get it. Thank God.
Another Classic had finished a well-beaten fifth on her debut at Tattersalls in October, but Kelly was prepared to draw a line through that effort. On the advice of rider Rob James, the mare was put away with the intention of returning as a stronger five-year-old after Christmas.
“Rob said she’d be fine for a five-year-old after Christmas, so we put her away for a month and started her back just before Christmas,” Kelly explained. “We kind of aimed for this weekend and it all worked out.”
The improvement shown at Tyrella did not come as a complete surprise to her handler either, following an encouraging piece of work earlier in the week.
“She did a good piece of work on Wednesday morning and I kind of quietly fancied her chances going up. It’s hard to say you fancy them, but I wasn’t surprised she won.”
Owned by the Bridge Stables Partnership, which includes Kelly’s uncle Larry Kelly alongside Colm Hearne and Mikey Sweeney, Another Classic had been pre-trained by Sweeney last year before joining Kelly for this season.
With only four horses currently in training, the success was particularly rewarding.
“I’ve only four in at the minute, so it was lovely to get a winner out of them.”
The trip to Tyrella was a lengthy one from Kelly’s Wexford base, but the result ensured the return journey felt far shorter.
“It was an awful hike going up there. Everyone said it’d either be a really long journey home or a really short one, so luckily it was short coming home with a winner.”
Kelly was quick to praise Cotter’s role in the success and the wider support she receives at home.
“Shane is brilliant. He schools for me every week and between himself and Shane Kehoe, I’d be lost without them really. I didn’t give him many instructions beforehand. I just said ‘you know what to do’ and he got the job done.”
Encouragingly, Another Classic came out of the race in excellent shape and has thrived since.
“She licked her pot clean on Saturday night and dragged me out to the field on Sunday morning. That’s always great to see.”
While the mare is currently for sale, her immediate future plans remain open depending on interest, with her owners also having runners on the track in Britain.
Kelly learned her trade with Denis Murphy, her father’s first cousin, having first become involved in racing as a teenager. Her sister Kate also works for Murphy and is a big help to her.
“I was dragged up there when I was about 15 and I never really looked back. I’d been into Pony Club and eventing, but the racing kind of took over. I learned nearly everything I know up there.”
After stepping away for a period, Kelly was drawn back into the sport during the Covid years and took out her own handler’s licence. Until recently, she balanced training with a career as a hairdresser before deciding to commit fully to racing last year, encouraged by her father Denis.
“My dad said if I wanted to give it a proper go, he’d back me, so I gave up the day job last year and went into it full-time. It was nice to see it pay off a little bit on Saturday.
“My father has been a great support throughout and it was a shame that he wasn’t on hand to welcome in our winner at Tyrella. He was delighted though.”
Kelly currently has a small set-up, making use of the local beach just five minutes from her yard, and is appreciative of access to Denis Murphy’s nearby gallops and schooling facilities.
“I’ve no facilities of my own yet, but I’m very lucky with the help I get. There’s a great bunch of people around, and everyone helps each other out.”
Kelly, who still rides out for Murphy a few days a week, has a couple of five-year-olds she is looking forward to running later in the season. She is content to remain small-scale for now, though open to gradual expansion as opportunities arise.
