Sky's the limit for powerful Steel Bull after impressive Molecomb success

Michael O’Callaghan’s internet dropped out as he watched his one runner at Glorious Goodwood but when it was restored the news was good.

The replay was a satisfying experience for the trainer based at the Curragh as Steel Bull had already won the Molecomb Stakes impressively under Colin Keane.

Had he seen the whole race live he might have been a bit more anxious as Keane had to wait behind horses before finding a gap and accelerating away in the style of a good juvenile, beating Ben Macdui by three-quarters of a length.

O’Callaghan said: "I actually struggled to see it properly because the internet dropped out of the computer as I was watching it live. I had to try and get into the living room to watch it there, but I’ve watched the replay.

Steel Bull (navy) picks up Ben Macdui with easeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

“He’s done it very well. Colin was as good as ever. Colin is top class and has done a great job with him. Obviously we have a nice horse on our hands.”

All four of O’Callaghan's winners in Britain have been juveniles, and this was his first success at Goodwood, like Keane, who rode with a confidence that did not reflect it was only his second ride at the course.

Keane said: "I didn't have much of a choice, but listening to the lads beforehand they were adamant that he had a good turn of foot and that’s what I was hoping and hanging on to. And when he got out he did have one.

"He puts his head down and tries very hard. He’s a horse that will keep progressing and I imagine he will get an extra furlong. He’s a nice colt.”

Steel Bull made a winning debut at Naas on July 22 and O’Callaghan is prepared for the phone to ring.

He said: “We had a little bit of interest in him after winning his maiden but at the end of the day it was a five-furlong maiden and he had to go and prove he could do something like that.

"I don’t just own him myself, I’m involved with my father Michael as well and another man called John Fleming. We buy all the horses together. We’ve been lucky at the breeze-ups and thank god we’ve found another good one.”

O'Callaghan will take his time before committing to Steel Bull's next target, but did not discount a crack at the Coolmore Nunthorpe at York on August 21, for which the colt would receive a hefty weight advantage from his elders.

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