Galway Festival double for Dan King
Rising star jump jockey Dan King made history on Thursday when he completed a huge Galway Festival double. The 21-year-old, who has been tipped to go all the way to the top in his profession, underlined his potential by pulling off a feat that had not been done for 42 years.
On Wednesday, King netted the biggest prize of his burgeoning career as King Alexander defied odds of 20-1 to give Willie Mullins a third victory in the Galway Plate. The combination moved effortlessly into the lead from long-time leader Nouvotic at the second-last fence and ground it out from fast finisher Conyers Hill to win by half a length.
Less than 24 hours after that success he rode Putapoundinthejar to capture the Guinness Galway Hurdle. Saving ground the whole way on the 10-1 winner, who was giving trainer Tony Martin his fifth victory in the race, King and Putapoundinthejar led at the final flight to beat Thisistheway by three and a quarter lengths.
“It was plain sailing the whole way round,”he said after emulating the late Joe Byrne who was successful aboard Master Player and Tara Lee in 1984.
“He jumped savage the whole way round - he didn’t miss a beat. I took a chance going round the inside but when I wanted the gaps to open up they did.
“I’d never ridden a winner at the Galway Festival before but I was hopeful - I was coming here this week with a few nice rides.
“When you get two of the biggest pots of the week, it’s class.
“Dream stuff.”
Martin added of Putapoundinthejar:
“He’s a big, old-fashioned horse. He was only coming to himself since Christmas and hopefully he’ll go on improving.”
