A million reasons to cheer as Mustajeer lands Ebor jackpot for Ger Lyons

In the first £1 million Ebor Mustajeer had his last run for Ger Lyons, but he signed off from his time with the trainer in the most fitting way possible by landing York's historic handicap.

Purchased by Australian Bloodstock prior to York's showpiece race, the six-year-old will depart for Melbourne next month to join trainer Kris Lees.

Once there, he will be pinpointed for more rich handicap glory with the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups on the agenda, and after this performance it would take a brave man to doubt him. His new connections will no doubt be rubbing their hands at what the future holds.

Having finished fourth in the race last year, owner David Spratt revealed how Lyons immediately got to work in preparing Mustajeer for another crack at the Ebor.

Spratt said: "We started preparing for this after last year's race, when Gary Carroll gave him a beautiful ride. We were keen in the winter to send him down to Australia for the Sydney Cup, but in fairness to Ger, he said ‘Wait, this is a proper horse, let me train him properly’ and he’s got it spot on."

Mustajeer gets a pat from Colin Keane after winning the Sky Bet EborCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lyons was busy working back in Ireland, such are the demands of training, and was represented at York by his daughter Kerri, who revealed just how much the year-long effort meant to her father.

“I spoke to him immediately after the race and he was absolutely delighted,” she said. “Not many words came out of his mouth, he was just over the moon and couldn’t believe it. This has been the plan all along so the fact it worked out in the end is hard to believe. It feels unreal."

Here was a plan that certainly did come together.

On Mustajeer's future, she added: "He’ll be prepped for quarantine and will probably leave for Australia in September. He’s going to come back with us now and go out into the field to enjoy himself."

With £600,000 going to winning connections, jockey Colin Keane was revealed to be scooping a tidy £41,000 for guiding Mustajeer to the promised land.

As the 2017 Irish champion jockey lifted two bottles of champagne into the air in celebration of his success, he remained as humble as ever, giving thanks to his equine partner and Lyons.

He said: "It was a very good performance and it was all pretty smooth really – I gave him a squeeze when I needed to and he responded accordingly – but it’s a brilliant training performance by Ger."

Colin Keane (middle) prepares to pop bottles in celebration of Mustajeer's victory alongside Kerri Lyons (left) and owner David SprattCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The jockeys were firmly in the spotlight prior to the contest as a big-fight feel descended on the Knavesmire. In what felt akin to that of a heavyweight boxing clash at Madison Square Garden, the riders made their way to the parade ring one by one, with ITV Racing's Oli Bell listing each of their achievements to hearty applause.

And when the dust settled, as the runners went blow-for-blow for almost three minutes it was Mustajeer who landed the knockout hit on his rivals.

However, you can’t say he had it easy.

Hot on his heels in the closing stages was Godolphin representative Red Galileo, their famous blue silks worn by young apprentice Cieren Fallon, but the pair were unable to close the gap in time, eventually downed by three-quarters of a length.

Fallon was disappointed not to win, such is the competitive streak needed to be a jockey, but having only one ride to his name this time last year, the jockey could not help but share his excitement at being able to be a part of such a historic race.

“I was very lucky to get the ride, and to finish second is pretty special for me,” said Fallon. “Red Galileo has run a superb race and full credit to him – he’s had an absolute blinder.”

Charlie Johnston, assistant trainer to his father Mark, was another who tried to look at the positives as the season’s rapid improver King’s Advice finished 18th.

Having run in a Class 5 at Lingfield less than six months ago, no-one would have believed the five-year-old would be lining up in the Ebor and among the favourites to land the jackpot.

But having been raised 41lb for those successes, the handicapper was always going to catch up with him.

Johnston said: "It was a disappointing run. He had a tough trip from a bad draw, and was never in the race. He’s had a phenomenal year so he’s lost nothing in defeat, but it’s back to the drawing board and we’ll go again."

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