See Double You becomes oldest winner in Ireland for 32 years at age of 16

Low-grade handicap hurdles might not produce too many fairytale results, but at Roscommon on Tuesday evening See Double You became the oldest winner in Ireland for 32 years with an historic victory at the age of 16.

See Double You is the oldest horse to win on the track in Ireland since The Ladys Master landed a Tipperary handicap chase for Matthew Duggan and Frank Berry in 1987, and trainer Ronan McNally was close to tears as his veteran star rolled back the years to record the 11th success of his career.

In Britain, Bishopdale won a handicap chase aged 16 at Hexham in 1997. The most notable equine teen feat in modern times saw Sonny Somers score twice over fences aged 18 in 1980.

An emotional McNally said after his charge snatched victory from the jaws of defeat: "It's unbelievable. He did it at 15 but it's hard to believe he'd do it at 16. He's been a very special horse for me.

"I think in Ireland there probably hasn't been a 16-year-old to win. I know in England there has been, but I really wanted him to win over here to get him into the history books."

The 81-rated hurdler, who has now won three chases, five hurdles and three point-to-points, was ridden by talented conditional Darragh O'Keeffe – who was born just three years, one month and 26 days before the gelded son of Saddlers' Hall.

McNally added: "I bought this horse the day after my Dad was buried so he means a lot to me. He's so fresh and is looked after like a baby – the whole family just loves and adores him."

Asked what is next on the agenda, McNally, who doubles as a 7lb claiming amateur rider, said: "That would probably be a good note to finish on with him but I'm going to ride him over in England once to take the penalty off him and probably finish him on that.

"I've won on him seven times, so for myself and him that's how we'll finish. He's a legend."

See Double You, who returned an 8-1 shot and last visited the winner's enclosure as recently as last September, had been backed in from 12-1 into as short as 7-2 earlier in the afternoon and continued the fine form of a stable that has enjoyed well-publicised successes with The Jam Man of late.

Ronan McNally celebrates after The Jam Man won at Cartmel at the end of last monthCredit: John Grossick

The winning handler added: "The horses are finally back. For seven months I endured absolute torture – last, last, last, pulled up, pulled up, pulled up, but finally at Downpatrick I had a fourth and a third [See Double You].

"I wasn't really happy with his third and when we took him to the vet we found a problem afterwards. He jumped very poorly, which isn't like him. We worked on his stifle and I told Darragh we'd have a different horse today – we were right."

He continued: "I thought he'd hit the front maybe a bit soon, they were all coming to challenge but knuckled down and jumped the last three - Jesus, he didn't let us down. It was awesome, I'm speechless."

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