Promising start for Leahy despite Ballygogue misfortune

 Image © Healy Racing

Adam Leahy was left rueing what could have been his first success as a handler with just his second runner, when Cleverfox dramatically jinked and unseated his rider in the Ballygogue House opener in between the final two fences, when eight lengths clear at the last. 

The Berkshire gelding travelled like the best horse in the 11-runner four-year-old maiden, relishing the heavy conditions and moving smoothly into a commanding lead before the second last.

“He had the whole race put to bed before the second last, which is fair going in those conditions,” Leahy said. “It was home and hosed. It was a fair rollercoaster of emotions, thinking he was going to absolutely bolt up and then what happened happened.”

On the approach to the final fence, Cleverfox suddenly veered left and unshipped Frankie Murphy, leaving what looked a certain success behind him.

“You’d be sick for the lads when that happens, but that’s racing,” he added. “He jumped the second last and I thought that was it.”

The near-miss came just a week after Leahy’s first runner, The Bosses Order, owned by his mother Imelda, had shaped with promise when finishing fifth at Knockanard.

“He’s a lovely horse as well. I probably shouldn’t have run him on that ground. He’s more of a nicer ground horse, but he’ll be aimed at Belclare in a few weeks.”

Cleverfox, owned by Leahy in partnership with Thomas Meagher of Kedrah House Stud, will now head straight to the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale.

“He’s going to be sold now. He should do well on that run.

“Tom’s been very good to me. I did a good bit of breaking and pre-training for him and last summer he asked me if I wanted half of Cleverfox to train him. That’s how I got him.”

While only just starting out as a handler, Leahy is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure. A former point-to-point rider with three victories between the flags, he has also partnered two winners under Rules - both aboard Party President in his father’s colours.

He switched to the professional ranks late last spring after gaining momentum with outside bumper rides and track opportunities, a move that was initially only intended to be temporary.

“I rode two winners on a horse of our own and got a few outside rides then. I was only going to turn for the summer and then turn back, but I’ve been enjoying it and just never went back.”

Balancing riding and training makes for long days. Leahy works five mornings a week for ‘Shark’ Hanlon before returning home to oversee his own string in the afternoons.

“There are days I’m up at five o’clock riding out in the pitch black at home, then into Shark’s, and then racing after that. It’s busy, but I’m enjoying it.”

Based at his family home in O’Loughlin, Co. Carlow, just minutes from both Willie Mullins and Jim Bolger, Leahy is steadily building a small but growing operation. The facilities include a furlong-and-a-half deep Wexford sand gallop, a large sand arena with hurdles and fences, a walker and paddocks.

Support at home has been vital.

“My mother does all the paperwork and the bits I wouldn’t be great at. She’s a massive help.

 “Charlie Butler rides out most afternoons and Frankie Murphy gives a hand as well. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

There are currently around ten horses in the yard, including pre-trainers and track performers, with two holding hunter certificates. Leahy is scheduled to attend the IHRB Licensed Trainers course next month as he looks to expand his operation onto the track.

“Long term, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.

“I’ve always kept horses of my own since I started riding. It’s just hard to finance. It’s an expensive thing if you don’t have owners paying bills. But if you can get a few owners and a few horses, that’s the dream.”

With two runners and two encouraging performances to date, Saturday’s result may have denied him an immediate milestone, but the impression left by Cleverfox suggested that first winner as a handler is not far away.