Grade 1 Performer Completes Christmas Double For Vadamos

Grade 1 performer King Of Kingsfield (5g Vadamos – Passion Planet, by Medicean) completed a smart double for Vadamos on St Stephen’s Day when running out a clear winner of the two mile maiden hurdle at Leopardstown.

Grade 1 placed at the end of last season, Gordon Elliott’s charge finished second on his first three starts over hurdles, most recently in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. Reunited with Jack Kennedy on Tuesday, the bay raced in touch for much of the way and led at the final flight. He ran on well under hands and heels to beat the well-regarded Mirazur West (Westerner) by six lengths.

“That was great,” the winning trainer said. “We were riding him all wrong and the last day we changed our minds in the Grade 1. Jack was delighted with the way he settled, and he jumped well, so we're very happy.”

A Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival is next on the agenda for King Of Kingsfield, Elliott added. The son of Grange Stud sire Vadamos carries the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, having been purchased privately following his impressive point-to-point win for Patrick Turley, who also bred the bay.

Shortly before at Down Royal, The Other Mozzie (4g Vadamos – Leo’s Spirit, by Fantastic Light) made a successful hurdle debut under Kieren Buckley for Gavin Cromwell.

The Pique Syndicate-owned gelding raced in midfield for much of the maiden hurdle over two miles and one furlong, and began to make headway from three out. Producing a challenge after the second last, he was ridden to lead close home and beat the more experienced Bleu D’enfer by half a length.

Speaking after the race, the winning rider said, “He has done it very well and quickened up nicely over the last two. He has won with a little bit up his sleeve.”

Bred by Christopher Maye, The Other Mozzie previously placed in a Galway bumper and in a four-year-old maiden at Kirkistown.