John Queally out to make his mark again after post-Al Eile fallow years

The years that followed a golden period with Al Eile were not kind to John Queally, but the trainer is back with quality horses to fire at the Leopardstown Christmas festival and there is nowhere else he would rather be.

Queally, one of the most sought-after amateur riders in the 1980s, made a seamless transition to training upon hanging up his saddle and is best known as the man who managed the career of Al Eile, the only horse to win the Aintree Hurdle three times this century.

Al Eile, who won four Grade 1s over hurdles and 12 races in total, was owned by Michael Ryan, whose familiar green and navy hooped colours will be carried by Queally’s Sacchoandvanzetti, who has won two of his three starts over hurdles including a defeat of Pasley at Punchestown last month, in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle on December 26 at Leopardstown.

“We've had a few very quiet years and it's just great to have some nice horses who are good enough to run in these races again,” Queally said.

A new era: Sacchoandvanzetti with John Queally, Jody McGarvey and Michael Ryan after winning at PunchestownCredit: Caroline Norris

“We've had a quiet time since the Al Eile days and to have Sacchoandvanzetti for Michael Ryan is fantastic. The horse seems to like the jumping game and seems to be improving all the time.

“He's going the right way and we're very happy with him. He’s a happy camper and I know it's going to be a big step up at Leopardstown but he's entitled to take his chance as he’s in great form. I hope Jody McGarvey will ride him again.”

Queally will also be represented by Djingle in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase on St Stephen’s Day at Leopardstown.

The race has been billed as a potential match between Fakir D'Oudairies and Laurina, but Queally has confidence in his horse, who was in the process of running a big race at Carlisle last month when taking a tumble at the last.

He said: “I actually think that Carlisle race will be the making of him as he's come out of it real well. It was quite a competitive race – it wasn't a novice chase, it was a graduation chase – and I just felt he took his eye off the last fence after giving an exhibition of jumping up until that point.”

Glory days: John Queally with Al Eile after the four-time Grade 1 winner won on the FlatCredit: Caroline Norris

Queally added: “I'd be taking more of a positive view on the performance anyway and he's since been to Punchestown where he schooled brilliantly since.

“It looks like it's going to be a brilliant race with Fakir D'Oudairies and Laurina in there. Fakir D'Oudairies is a very good jumper and he likes to be handy but I'd imagine we'll be up with the pace as well. It should be a cracking race.”

On plans for Getaway Katie Mai, winner of the 2018 mares’ bumper at Aintree for Queally, he added: “She is fine and might reappear sometime in the new year over hurdles.”

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