Gleneagles Delivers On And Off The Track

Gleneagles enjoyed a successful few hours on and off the track on Tuesday, as a smart two-year-old winner at Gowran Park was followed by a six-figure sale at Arqana.

Early in the afternoon, the improving Drummin Life (2f Gleneagles - Enjoy Life, by Acclamation) justified favouritism in the fillies maiden over a mile for Willie McCreery and owner/breeder Frank Fahy.

A promising third last time out, the bay travelled well throughout under Billy Lee and led from two furlongs out. Soon clear, she kept on well to win by three and a quarter lengths, while Water Nymph (Saxon Warrior) finished over six lengths clear of the third.

McCreery later revealed that Drummin Life would not be seen again until next season, adding, “There should be a ton of improvement in her.” The trainer has done well with the progeny of Gleneagles, having trained Insinuendo (Gleneagles) to win two Group races, and another team keen on the sire’s stock is the training partnership of Paul and Oliver Cole.

The pair will be responsible for a Gleneagles colt out of Ivirka, after the bay was knocked down to Dermot Farrington for €170,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale.

Lady O’Reilly’s Haras de la Louviere offered the colt, whose half-sister Elounda Queen (Australia) is now a dual winner. After Farrington signed the docket, Oliver Cole said, “We've bought this colt for Fitri Hay, who owns two of Gleneagles' best horses, including Grade 1 winner Highland Chief, who we trained before he moved to America.”