Curling and OConnor bring up 100th winner with Kimai

 

When asked if he was aware that Kimai would prove to be their 100th success, Curling admitted he knew they were closing in on the figure.

 

“I knew we were close enough, and although I didn’t know which horse it was going to be, I knew it was coming up,” he said.

 

The Walk In The Park-sired Kimai landed the opening five-year-old mares’ maiden to initiate a two-timer for Curling and O’Connor at the Cork venue, with Wrappedupinmay completing their brace in the open. Curling then went on to complete an across-the-card treble when Lord Desart justified favouritism at Ballycrystal under Daniel Hyde.

 

Kimai had brought arguably the strongest form into the Carrigarostig contest, having finished a promising third on her only previous start at Lisronagh last February, and she duly stepped forward on her seasonal return.

Sent straight to the front by O’Connor, the imposing bay produced a polished display of jumping, asserting from two out to score by a widening four-and-a-half lengths from the well-regarded newcomer Galatrona. The victor will now head to the Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale on Saturday.

 

“She had a lovely run last year,” Curling said. “She’s a very big mare and we just gave her plenty of time. We always thought she was very smart and she did it very well on Sunday. I know there were only a few runners, but Colin Bowe’s filly that was second is a nice filly and I’d say it will turn out to be a good race. Kimai jumps very well.”

 

Purchased for €32,000 at the Tattersalls Derby Sale, Kimai is out of the black-type hurdler Valyssa Monterg, a Listed winner for Willie Mullins who was also successful on the Flat in France. Kimai is owned by long-time supporter and yard sponsor John O’Leary, an owner who has been closely associated with Curling’s operation for many years and also owns several of the yard’s leading performers, including 2025 Cheltenham Foxhunters victor Wonderwall.

 

The association between Curling and O’Connor stretches back more than a decade, with their first winner together coming via Dun Doire at Kilfeacle in January 2010.

 

“I didn’t know that was our first one together,” Curling admitted. “He was a good old horse and we’ve had plenty of success together since. It’s been great.”

 

Including Sunday’s double at Carrigarostig, the partnership has now yielded 92 point-to-point winners, supplemented by nine victories under Rules.

 

“Derek is absolutely brilliant. His record speaks for itself. He’s brilliant at getting a horse to jump, and he’s always thinking about the next day with a horse.

"If it’s not happening, he won’t be too hard on them. He’s very strong and his will to win is massive.”

 

There was little time to dwell on the milestone, however, as Curling and O’Connor returned to the winner’s enclosure later on the card with Wrappedupinmay in the open. A former dual track winner for Paul Nicholls, the eight-year-old followed up his Dromahane success on December 30th in emphatic fashion, easing to the front well before three out before drawing right away to beat Macs Charm by 11 lengths.

 

“He’s a lovely horse. He won a maiden as a four-year-old for Matty Flynn O’Connor, he won a few races in England, and he’s loving being back point-to-pointing. He seems to be getting better the whole time and his confidence is growing.”

 

Owned by the Mayhem In March Syndicate, Wrappedupinmay will now head straight to the St James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase at Cheltenham.

 

“That was the dream when we bought him,” Curling explained. “They don’t always work out, but once a horse has shown ability at some stage, you have a chance of getting it back. That’s what we look for when sourcing them, and thankfully it’s working with him.”

 

Curling also outlined further Cheltenham hopes, with Wonderwall set to come back into focus as the spring approaches.

 

“He doesn’t like heavy ground, so we backed off him for the winter and gave him a break,” he said. “He’s back in full work now and he’s going as well, if not better, than last year. He’s in great form.”

 

The Great Unknown could also make the trip across the water.

 

“She’s improving all the time. She’s only a young mare and she’d have to step up, but she’d be getting all the allowances and she’s going the right way, so she’s another we could bring over if everything’s right.”

 

Curling completed his treble when Lord Desart narrowly followed up his Tinahely success at Ballycrystal. Ridden by Daniel Hyde, the son of Doyen was locked in a prolonged duel with Empire Soldier from two out before edging ahead on the run-in to prevail by a neck.

 

The weekend’s results further strengthened Curling’s position at the head of the Champion Handler standings. He currently leads the table with 20 winners from 73 runners this season, operating at a strike-rate of over 27 per cent, and sits 12 winners clear of his nearest pursuer, 13-time champion Colin Bowe.

 

“I wouldn’t say it was targeted,” Curling said of the title race. “We’re trying to give it a good go, but it’s very early in the year yet. Colin has won it plenty of times and I’m sure when he gets rolling he’ll have plenty of firepower. There’s a long way to go.”

 

Curling who was awarded with the prestigious HRI Point-to-Point award in December, currently has around 80 horses in training at Skahanagh, a number he feels strikes the right balance.

 

“That’s as big as we want it to be, it’s a nice number and it keeps plenty of horses fresh.”

 

While many of the yard’s recent successes have come with experienced campaigners, Curling is equally optimistic about the next wave coming through.

 

“We have about 40 younger horses coming along nicely now.

 

“There’s plenty of them there, so hopefully there’ll be a few nice four-year-olds to look forward to later in the season.”

 

With a strong core of proven older horses already delivering and an exciting group of four-year-olds emerging, the Skahanagh handler is hoping to maintain his momentum and give the Champion Handler title race his best possible shot.