Talented Son Of Westerner Wins On Chase Debut

Talented hurdler Due Reward (6g Westerner - Long Acre, by Mark Of Esteem) made a winning start to his chasing career when justifying favoritism in the Beginners Chase at Killarney on Friday.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead for Gigginstown House Stud, the bay was last seen finishing a close second in the Galway Hurdle earlier in the month. Rachael Blackmore rode him to chase the leading pair, bearing down on Jack Dillinger (Westerner) from three out and jumped into the lead at the final fence. Pushed clear, he beat his aforementioned rival by six and a half lengths, as they finished 26 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Bred by the Barrywhite Partnership, Due Reward was bought by Aidan O’Ryan as a store for €42,000. He is a half-brother to Katie T, a Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 placed over hurdles, bred out of a half-sister to Briareus, a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and fences.