Irish-breds Our Friend, Monbeg Stream, Tomgarrow, Vintage Vinnie and Blackhall are in the lead for the Irish Money

They’re off! In the race for points for the Maryland Governor’s Cup newest award, the Irish Thoroughbred of the Year, four horses are in a lead so tight you could throw the proverbial “blanket over them” (thank you Will O’Keefe).

In the lead is Our Friend (IRE), owned by Armata Stables, trained by Joe Davies, and ridden by Teddy Davies. His win at the My Lady’s Manor in the John Rush Street Memorial gave him 8 points, but being part of the winning team in the Foxhall Farm Team Chase gave him that one extra point for the lead of 9 points.

Bearing down on Our Friend are three other Irish-breds (designated in your race programs with IRE after their names), each with 8 points:

Winner of the Thomas H. Voss Memorial Maiden Timber at the Manor: Monbeg Stream (IRE), owned by John Greene, trained by Leslie Young, with Freddie Proctor in the irons;

Winner of The My Lady’s Manor Timber Stakes: Tomgarrow (IRE), owned by Leipers Fork Steeplechasers, trained by Leslie Young, with Freddie Proctor on board;

Winner of the John D. Schapiro Memorial Apprentice Rider Timber, also at the Manor: veteran Vintage Vinnie (IRE) (our 2021 Governor’s Cup Horse of the Year), owned by Armata Stables, trained by Joe Davies, also with Teddy Davies in the tack.

Of these four horses, only Our Friend is entered in tomorrow’s Grand National, so watch the number 2 horse in the Benjamin H. Murray Memorial Allowance Timber.

But don’t count the following Irish-breds out yet, as they are mere points away from the leaders! Blackhall (IRE), owned by Kinross Farm; Chosen Mate (IRE), owned by Armata Stables, Real Good Man (IRE), owned by Kiplin Hall and Tiepolo (IRE), owned by Virginia Korrell. Entered in races for tomorrow are Blackhall (IRE), Chosen Mate (IRE), and Tiepolo (IRE).

Leading owner will receive $1,000, as will the leading trainer. David Burns for Irish Thoroughbred Marketing will be making the trip over the pond to personally present the cash bonuses at the June 16^th Governors Cup Awards Reception. The winner will also be presented with a lovely perpetual Waterford crystal trophy.  Click here to learn more about Irish Thoroughbreds!