Irishman abroad: Gavin Hernon making a big impact with his small team

Chantilly-based Irishman Gavin Hernon made the perfect start to his training career when Icefinger returned to the winner's enclosure at Deauville over the big Arqana sales weekend in August.

Since then it has been a case of carefully selecting opportunities and such patience paid off once again when recent recruit Mutarabby made a winning start for the yard on the Deauville all-weather on Sunday, bringing Hernon's total for the year to four winners from just nine runners.

The former Godolphin inmate was bought by Hernon for 52,000gns at Tattersalls in October and the four-year-old son of Tamayuz picked up his rivals easily under Stephane Pasquier over 1m1½f.

"He's been working with some good horses in the mornings and doing it easily, so we were pretty confident," said Hernon, who earmarked Mutarabby as a "must-have" at the sale for Chinese-based King Panda Racing, key backers of his fledgling career.

"He looks a nice horse for the future and, while we don't want to step him up in grade too quickly and ruin his condition, he might have one more conditions race in January before we give him a little break and freshen him up for a summer campaign.

Mutarabby (white cap, centre) finished a neck behind Stradivarius on his debut for Godolphin and now features in ambitious plans for trainer Gavin Hernon and King Panda RacingCredit: John Grossick Racing Photography

"Judging on what we've seen at home we definitely think he's of Listed ability, if not more. It's a hell of a long way off yet, but he might even be the type for a Melbourne Cup campaign."

Hernon has saddled only six individual runners but has been busy at both the yearling and horses-in-training sales this autumn, meaning he will have "around 20" to go to war with in the new year.

And another new recruit, Fouqueville, is being primed for action in the Listed Prix Satamixa before the turn of the year.

"She has been working nicely with Mutarabby and goes for a Listed race at Deauville on December 23," said Hernon. "We bought Fouqueville out of Jean-Claude Rouget's yard and she didn't appear to be letting herself down on turf but since she's been moved over to working on the all-weather, she seems to be enjoying herself.

"She goes there next week and all I want for Christmas is a Listed winner."

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