There was a really particular conclusion to day two of the Cheltenham Festival when 18-year-old John Gleeson steered John Kiely’s A Dream To Share to an exciting Weatherbys Champion Bumper success.
The 85-year-old Kiely has gained many massive races all through an extended and distinguished profession within the coaching ranks, however one notable omission was a victory on the Festival.
He discovered the right ally to fill that void within the unbeaten five-year-old, who was bred and beforehand owned by ITV and RTE presenter Brian Gleeson – father of jockey John – and his spouse Claire.
He headed to Prestbury Park on the again of a win on the Dublin Racing Festival final month, and with new house owners, having been snapped as much as run within the colors of JP McManus.
But the 7-2 probability remained the mount of the youthful Gleeson who produced a journey befitting a person with rather more expertise than his tender years and somebody experiencing the white-hot environment of the Festival for the primary time.
Rounding the house bend, he had Patrick Mullins and the 16-5 favorite Fact To File in his sights and it was not lengthy earlier than he was asking his mount for an effort – quickening neatly within the rain-sodden floor to breeze previous his outdated rival and make sure Leopardstown type in a win to recollect.
John Gleeson steered A Dream To Share to an emotional victory
(PA)
Kiely stated: “I was always happy with the horse all the way through, he’s been a nice horse since day one but I was concerned about the ground today to be honest.
“I knew the horse was tip-top but I was worried about the ground so I’m delighted with the way it worked out.
“Just with the ground I worried that he’d get there too soon, but the young man was fantastic. He’s been coming in every morning to ride him. He’ll muck out and he’ll do everything, I just hope he keeps his feet on the ground now.
“I’ve been coming here since 1976 and we had the winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle in 1993 with Shuil Ar Aghaidh (trained by his brother, Paddy).
“I’m 86 in May, I gave up riding three years ago with Covid. I’ve spent my life in racing, you never think as a youngster you’d get to be in this hallowed spot.
“This horse is named well isn’t he, they named him on Christmas day as a family, A Dream To Share, it’s lovely.”
The successful rider stated: “I can’t believe how smoothly it went, to be honest. Did that just happen? I can’t believe it.
“We kind of set out to keep it simple. The ground was a bit poached everywhere, but we thought on the outside it was a bit better.
“The ground is quite holding, so we decided to take our time and he did it so well. I followed Patrick and it worked out so perfectly.
“Just to be here at the Festival, it’s unreal. To have a winner for John Kiely at the Cheltenham Festival – that man is so good to me and I can’t thank him enough. To Mr McManus as well, for letting me keep the ride, I’m very grateful.
“It’s very special. We’re a small team at home, but we try our best to get to the big stage and to win is unbelievable.
“I’ve known John for as long as I can remember and I ride this horse every day before going into school. I’ve had to park the books for a week, but it was definitely worth it!
“My mum named the horse on Christmas Day a couple of years back and my dad gets a great kick out of it.”
Gleeson senior stated: “It’s tremendous. Cheltenham Festival, with your son riding, in those colours and trained by a maestro in John Kiely – it’s nearly a book!
“The horse was named by my wife Claire. We always say everything good in life is worth sharing and this horse we always thought was good.
“The dream was to have a winner at the Cheltenham Festival trained by John Kiely. He’s 86 in May and now he’s had his first Festival winner – it’s fairytale stuff.”
