Castledaly's Shane claims stunning win in famed Galway Plate

 

By Kieran Galvin

Castledaly jockey Shane Shortall has claimed a sensational victory in the Galway Plate on board Road To Riches.

Shortall steered 14/1 shot Road To Riches to victory in the thetote.com Galway Plate – the flagship race of the Galway festival at Ballybrit. It is by far the biggest win to date in Shortall's career and a huge boost for the the young Castledaly jockey.

Indeed, it was an emphatic victory for seven-year-old Road to Riches, who romped home 11 lengths clear of second placed Burn And Turn.

“This is the stuff of dreams,” said an absolutely delighted Shane, when interviewed on RTE television afterwards. 

“I didn’t get up this morning and expect to have a double in Galway,” he added.

Shane also had a winner in the 4.10 race in Galway (the Handicap Hurdle) when he guided Greatness to victory.

Shortall, a highly promising 7lb-claimer, chose to keep his mount among the leaders throughout the Galway Plate race.

Road to Riches is trained by the experienced Noel Meade, based in Co. Meath, and the horse is part of Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House stable.

It was Meade's first ever victory in the Galway Plate. 

Speaking to RTE after the race, Meade praised Shane for the way he handled the horse in the prestigious race, saying he had “an old head on young shoulders”. 

Golden Wonder, owned by Athlone native and former Government Minister Paddy Cooney, also took part in the Galway Plate race. 

 

Galway Plate - Results

Road To Riches 14/1

Burn And Turn 16/1

Balnaslow 9/1

Spring Heeled 10/1