Séamus Heffernan returns to the bread and butter of Ballinrobe today after securing a seventh Curragh classic success on board Seventh Heaven at the Curragh on Saturday.
Renowned as Aidan O'Brien's number two jockey Heffernan can boast a Group One record comparable to many top jockeys, with Seventh Heaven's Darley Irish Oaks a 23rd top-flight success for the 44-year-old.
It is a roll of honour that takes in France, Britain and the US and the Oaks, and takes Heffernan closer to a clean sweep of Ireland's classics. Like Pat Smullen, only the 2,000 Guineas remains elusive.
Once again O’Brien’s willingness to attack the major prizes in strength paid off for his stalwart ally, although Heffernan conceded he too would have picked the disappointing odds-on favourite Even Song beforehand. She started slowly and never challenged.
Judgment
However, it is the judgment that saw him unhesitatingly pick Seventh Heaven over both Somehow and the well- backed Pretty Perfect from the Ballydoyle reserve that continues to be so prized by those at the top of racing’s most powerful operation.
“I’ve been happy with them all at home. Given the choice I would have picked Even Song, so I was lucky I wasn’t given the choice!” Heffernan said.
“Séamus had second pick and wanted to ride her. I was a bit surprised but Séamus had faith in her,” said O’Brien, picking up his first home classic of 2016 with Seventh Heaven, although a 35th in all, and which leaves his career Group One haul at a remarkable 279.
O’Brien’s next Group One target is likely to be this Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Highland Reel an 8-1 shot for the Ascot midsummer highlight.
Victory in 2008
Postponed is a hot 4-7 favourite for a race that O’Brien has won on three occasions, the last of which was with Duke Of Marmalade in 2008.
Whether or not Ireland’s champion trainer goes to war with Sir Isaac Newton too could become clearer after today’s forfeit stage, although Heffernan will no doubt be on call if he does.
The Co Kildare native’s first Group One victory came on Beckett in the National Stakes in 2000. Imagine won the 1,000 Guineas the following year, but a third only came with Mount Nelson in the 2006 Criterium International in France.
It is in the last decade however that Heffernan has averaged two of racing’s most prestigious and lucrative prizes a year.
The best of Heffernan’s four rides in Mayo could be the first, My Painter, in the opening claimer. Specific Gravity brings winning form, but appeared to be particularly effective at Dundalk where he scored last week.
