Carter McKay makes winning hurdling debut

The Pearl Bloodstock-owned Carter McKay won on his first start over jumps at Gowran on Saturday.

Carter McKay, who'd won his first two starts in bumpers before running in Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring, got back to winning ways in the I. N. H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle over two miles at Gowran.

The race wasn't as competitive as it might have been with Minellafordollars failing to meet expectations and Carter McKay's only remaining danger, Mortal, falling at the last, but favourite Carter McKay was still coming with a strong run when that happened and he ultimately finished a long way clear of the second.

Carter McKay - who takes his name from a character that appeared in the American television series Dallas - has now won a point-to-point, two bumpers and a hurdle race, and he looks sure to win more races, hopefully good ones.

His trainer Willie Mullins said: "He jumped like a chaser rather than a hurdler but he'll get better at it as the season goes on, I hope, and he appears to like that winter ground.

"He'll have no trouble going up in trip, being a point-to-point winner."

Carter McKay was part of a treble on the card for Mullins and jockey Paul Townend, which also included Sharjah and high-class chaser Min.

Carter McKay was bought by David Redvers for £160,000 in April 2016, the same week as the gelding had won a point by 10 lengths for the stable of Nick Stokes.

credit: Goffs UK