Donny Boy (Westerner) Wins His Maiden Hurdle at Newcastle

Exciting Son Of Westerner Extends Unbeaten Record

Donny Boy (5g Westerner - Lady Roania, by Saddlers’ Hall) extended his unbeaten record when making an impressive hurdle debut at Newcastle on Thursday.

The son of Westerner won his sole start for Aidan Fitzgerald in a four-year-old maiden at Dromahane, and went on bolt up by 14 lengths in a bumper on his first start for Nick Alexander. Sent off favourite to continue the trend over hurdles, he raced close to the pace in the two mile maiden hurdle and led going easily at the third last. Shaken up to go clear approaching the final flight, he scored by eight and a half lengths under Conor O’Farrell.

Alexander was delighted with his charge’s performance and later said, “Donny Boy is a really exciting young horse to have in the yard. I don't think I've had a horse win a bumper and first hurdle as well as that. The sky's the limit.”

Owned by Mrs Lynne Maclennan, Donny Boy was bred by Mrs Karen McLoughney.