Las Vegas Marathon

(Grade 2)

IRISHMAN Brendan Walsh achieved a career best to date when his former claimer, Cary Street, came from behind to take the $200,000 Grade 2 Las Vegas Marathon, last Friday.

Trailing throughout in the field of eight going the rare distance of a mile and three quarters, Cary Street made his winning move entering the far turn when he rallied along the rail under jockey Miguel Mena, easily passing tiring rivals. Irish Surf just lasted to be second over longshot Patrioticandproud by half a length. Cary Street was bred by Darley Stud in Kentucky and is owned by Marc Detampel and his Co Cork-born trainer Brendan Walsh.

“I had a fair idea that they might go quickly, so I just told (Mena) to get him in the rail, save the ground, and he gave him such a great ride. He was so patient. This horse can run all day.” said Walsh.

US-based Walsh, who grew up in Co Cork, began his career after attending RACE as a work rider at Jimmy Lenehan’s pre-training facility at Sheikh Mohammed’s Kildangan Stud, Co Kildare.

“I worked five years with Godolphin, back in the day when they had Dubai Millennium, Street Cry, Fantastic Light and Daylami,” he said.

He took out his licence in 2011 and this year has trained 18 winners from 24 horses. The Grade 2 Las Vegas Marathon is Walsh’s biggest success to date.