Dream ending? US Hall of Fame trainer Sheppard chasing Clonmel victory

US Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard is set to have his final runners at the end of a glittering 60-year career this winter in Ireland and hopes to record a little piece of history by registering his first winner in Europe on Thursday at Clonmel.

The 26-time US champion steeplechase trainer, who turned 80 last month, has sent a six-strong team across the Atlantic and very nearly caused an upset with his first runner at Limerick over Christmas, with 16-1 chance Baltimore Bucko finishing an admirable third under US champion jump jockey Ger Galligan, a native of county Kildare.

The legendary trainer, born in Hertfordshire, has been based in the US since 1961 and was the first trainer to win the American steeplechase Triple Crown with Flatterer, who chased home See You Then in the 1987 Champion Hurdle.

Baltimore Bucko (navy with pink) was just gunned down late at Limerick last month

His Irish-based string is being overseen by assistant Keri Brion, who is set to continue training Sheppard's runners in her own name in the not too distant future.

The American team, based at point-to-point trainer James Doyle's stables in Wexford, are hoping for a dream result in the Munster Rated Novice Hurdle (1.50) at Clonmel with French Light, a six-year-old rated highly by the raiding party.

"He's the one I like the most of the horses who have come over," said Galligan.

"I think a lot of him but the heavy ground is an unknown and I'm not sure he'll handle it. I'm just hoping that his class gets him through it."

He added: "We're riding on the beach and the deep Wexford sand, so it's almost like stamina training to help them when they're trying to handle the heavy ground over here. In America there'd be more emphasis on training for speed on quicker ground.

"Jonathan is definitely getting a great kick out of this. Hopefully things can go to plan and it could be a dream ending."

Brion has been bowled over by the reaction on home soil to the Sheppard camp's bold European move.

"It's got a huge following back home, even more than we thought it would," she said.

"When Baltimore Bucko crossed the line at quite an early time back in America my phone was buzzing with calls and texts wishing us well. I think it's a good thing for the sport, it's very cool."

She added: "Words can't describe the career Jonathan has had and it's been fantastic to play a very small part in it."

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