Mighty Gurkha victory proves sweet for Adam McNamara

Horse Racing

Sirenia Stakes success is notable one for Ebor-winning rider.

Adam McNamara celebrated a breakthrough Group-race winner after Mighty Gurkha returned to winning ways with a tenacious front-running success in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Sirenia Stakes at Kempton.

The 23-year-old, who was formerly based with Roger Charlton and Richard Fahey, had to be at his strongest to steer the Archie Watson-trained son of Sepoy to his first victory since his impressive debut success at Lingfield in the Group Three prize.

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Despite being pressed on all sides late on in the six-furlong contest the 11-2 shot stuck to the task well and clung on to defeat Cloudbridge by a nose, with favourite Mystery Smiles a further length back in third.

McNamara said: “He wasn’t doing a stroke all the way round. I got to the lead very easy.

“He was travelling in his comfort zone and when I picked him up he was just having a good look around lugging left and right. I always thought I was holding him (Cloudbridge) off.

“He has loads of ability and he has been a bit of character, but he seems like he has grown up a bit now. It is onwards and upwards. He will win plenty more big ones, I think.”

McNamara, who claimed the 2016 Ebor aboard Heartbreak City, paid thanks to the support he has received from Lambourn handler for Watson.

He added: “It means everything to get a Group winner. It has been a long three or four years since I had a big one and they are few and far between. I’ve been with Archie for about a year now. I owe him a lot for sticking by me and giving me the chance.

“Archie has been really good to me and he has a lot of good horses. He has put a lot of faith in me from day one and there are not many people who give you these opportunities.

“I’m just glad I could take it and pay him back.”

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Kempton Adam Mcnamara Mighty Gurkha

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