Talented Son Of Vadamos Back On Top At Galway

Grade 1 hurdler King Of Kingsfield (7g Vadamos – Passion Planet, by Medicean) gained a deserved return to winning ways in Tuesday’s beginners chase at the Galway Festival.

Grade 1-placed in a bumper and twice over hurdles, Gordon Elliott’s charge finished second on chase debut and was well-supported ahead of his second attempt. Racing prominently under Jack Kennedy, the Gigginstown-owned bay was asked to quicken turning for home and was ridden to lead on the run-in. He kept on well to beat the favourite by three and three quarter lengths, with another five lengths back to the third.

“He is a classy horse, lovely for him to have his day today,” Kennedy commented, while Gordon Elliott said: “He had a couple of hard races last year leading the mare (stablemate Brighterdaysahead) around which was probably a bit unfair to the horse having to do the donkey work.

“I was delighted to see the ground being as good as it was today and I thought Jack gave him a beautiful ride. We'll keep him to fences now and we'll have fun with him. I don't think he wants winter heavy ground but there are plenty of nice races to be won with him.”

The son of Grange Stud sire Vadamos was bred by Patrick Turley, for whom he impressed on his sole start between the flags before selling privately to current connections.