Well-Backed Son Of Yeats Impresses On Debut

The well-related Gameball (5g Yeats – By The Hour, by Flemensfirth) made an impressive start to his career in Tuesday’s bumper at Ballinrobe.

The Andy Slattery-trained newcomer was sent off the short-priced favourite under Adam Ryan and raced in second for much of the way. Leading from over two furlongs out, the five-year-old boasted a clear advantage by the final furlong and kept on to score by 12 lengths.

Bred by Mr D Breen, the son of Yeats is a half-brother to dual Grade 1 winner Marie’s Rock (Milan). Representing connections at Ballinrobe, Willie Slattery commented: “He is a nice horse, is well-bred and, to be fair to Dan (Breen), he only breeds a handful but is great at the job.

“Brian's (Slattery, brother) wife Eimear owns this horse and he'll either now be sold or go for a winners’ bumper.”