Horse In Focus - The Shepherd King

The Shepherd King

• The Shepherd King [1] won on his first start over hurdles at Galway [2] on Sunday and would be worth keeping an eye on over the next few months. He was up against some well fancied runners and the race should produce plenty of winners in the near future.

• The 6yo beat Start Me Up [3] and Frisco Depot [4] by a length and a half and they were 10l's clear of the 4th placed Life Of Reilly [5].

• The Marignan gelding, out of a Boolavogue mare, is owned and bred by Noel Collins from DROMUSTA STUD, in Drimoleague, Co. Cork and it looks like he has a bright prospect on his hands to look forward to.

• He was bought at the Goffs Land Rover Sale as a 4yo for EUR13,000. He is a half-brother to point/2m chase winner Baron Barton; his dam didn't show much in bumpers/hurdles but is a sister to the very useful chaser Flashthecash.

• He won a point to point in Ballynoe on good ground back in April by 5l's. After that win he went to the Doncaster Horses In Training Sales in May earlier this year but was not sold at GBP34,000. On his racecourse debut he finished 3rd in a 2m 2f bumper at Tipperary [6]. In September he then went on to comfortably win a 2m bumper in Listowel [7] on good ground, before going on to win at Galway [2] on Sunday.

• His trainer Thomas Cooper [8], said that "he had loads in the tank and jumped for fun" on his last start. His next assignment will be the Grade 1 Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse [9] no less, so there's no doubt how highly rated he his down in the kingdom.