Patrick Kearney Racing

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Happy retirement to a stable favourite Buddong.
The first yearling sent to me, gave us so much joy and excitement running and placing in group races throughout her career.
Very grateful for Chris Grace to allow me to train her throughout her career and to @stonewood_agistment for her spelling and pre training every preparation.
Buddong will be missed around the stables

Happy Retirement Buddong

Patrick Kearney

Timing can be everything in racing and being in the right place at the opportune moment can be the catalyst for success.
Young trainer Pat Kearney made sure of that when he bought a Royal Meeting colt at last year's Inglis Gold Yearling Sale.
The Ballarat-based horseman first laid eyes on the youngster several months earlier when he was passed in with an $80,000 reserve at the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
By the young Victorian sire, who had just left his first G1 winner days earlier when Hayasugi claimed the Blue Diamond Stakes, the colt was out of the Keep The Faith mare Puppetry, who hails from the same family as sprint king Overpass.
Kearney liked what he saw but was shopping for a horse with a smaller budget.
When the colt was catalogued for the second-tier sale in Melbourne two months later, he was keen to again try his luck in the ring and managed to snare the youngster for a fraction of the original reserve.
It looks an inspired winning bid now.
On Saturday, the colt - now named Prince Marionette - will chase the biggest win of Kearney's burgeoning career when he tackles the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1200m) at Randwick.
"He was passed in down in Tasmania for $80,000 and I kept following him because I really liked him," Kearney said.
"Hayasugi won the Blue Diamond a couple of days before the sale in Tasmania, so I think the reserve was set pretty high off the back of that.
"I had had an inkling that he was going to go to the Gold sale and I picked him up there for $28,000.
"He looked an early runner and he was the sort of horse you could put a saddle on straight away.
"I hadn't had success with many two-year-olds and to be considered a top trainer in Australia, you probably need to be training two-year-old winners, so he looked the right place to start.
"Once we started working with him, he did everything so naturally and I knew that he was going to be a horse to get me to a nice race." 
Kearney is no stranger to travelling horses, although most of his interstate trips came when he worked as a foreman for Group 1-winning trainer Mick Price, when he was pivotal in the Stakes-winning campaigns talented mares Seabrook, Hiyaam and Miss Admiration.
A sparkling piece of work at Ballarat last week was the confidence-booster Kearney needed to plot his own path up the Hume Highway with Prince Marionette.
He is confident the colt has improved considerably since his debut run, in which he closed off nicely from midfield to finish second over 1100m at Seymour.
"I was hesitant to send him, it's obviously a big trip and there were some nice races in Melbourne for him as well," he said.
"But his work the other day was very good and it really does make me think he can run a big race.
"He's already up in Sydney, he left on Thursday afternoon and the reports are that he's settled in well.
"The last time I went to Randwick with a horse was Seabrook when she won the Champagne Stakes, so it'll be a bit surreal to be up there for a feature race six years later with my own horse."
A former picnic jockey, Kearney rides most of his own horses in trackwork, but he admitted Prince Marionette is one horse that he has never galloped.
Instead, he's trusted young staff member Tilly Shand with the task.
He said having a runner in a $2m race is an exciting reward for his entire team.
"It's rewarding for the stable to have a runner in a $2 million race," he said.
"Credit to my team, he's actually one that I've never ridden, which is unusual.
"I've always been mindful of keeping the weight off his back and the young girl that works for me, Tilly Shand, has always liked him and always ridden him.
"She kept telling me he was a good horse and I think she's right."
Prince Marionette is rated $51 in Sportsbet's market for the Inglis Millennium, which is headed by Anthony and Sam Freedman's last-start G3 placegetter Price Tag ($3.80).

Pat's Prince primed for Millennium

When winning at Bendigo on September 25 Legacy Rose also notched up her third career victory with just 11 career starts under her belt. With Jarrod Fry in the saddle, the duo finished off the race strong doing their best work late.
Following a short freshen up the daughter of Stratosphere showed her class over 1100 metres, starting from 7 Jarrod Fry allowed the filly to balance up and find her feet towards the back of the field. Finding a nice rhythm, the duo began their run around the final bend into the home straight.
Legacy Rose was eased wide to find clear air, up the home straight she showed her great turn of foot to sprint away from the field and win clear by one and half lengths.
Congratulations to connections and all involved! &nbsp;

Legacy Rose back in winning form

It wasn&rsquo;t an easy road to the races with Jackand who suffered a severe belt of colic early in his racing career. Against all odds, the tough son of Speith bounced back and found himself in the winners enclosure twice this preparation.
&ldquo;Jackand loves his job, he&rsquo;s a happy horse and happy horses race well,&rdquo; reports Patrick Kearney.
Ridden by Craig Newlett at Geelong, where Jackand has won on previous occasions. The duo jumped and let the speed go, settling into a nice rhythm mid-field. Upon turning into the home straight Jackand started his run, finding clear air up the home straight in the final 200 metres to do his best work late and gallop over the field.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a pleasure to train and have around the stable, he is adored by many of the staff and he has a fantastic group of owners.&rdquo; Said Patrick.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a real thrill to have him back at the races, to see him winning just shows how tough this horse is.&rdquo;
Jackand now heads to the paddock for a well-earned spell, his return will be much anticipated from the staff and his connections.

Jackand back in the winners enclosure

Tried son of American Pharoah was found online on Inglis Digital by Patrick Kearney&rsquo;s cousin Brendan Delaney, the gelding had placed on a number of occasions just the type of horse they were looking for target the Swan Hill Carnival Drought Breaker. The plan came to fruition when Phair Plan was purchased on Inglis Digital for $4,250 in early May, and freshened for the $40,000 Swan Hill Carnival Drought Breaker over 1600 metres.
Partnered with Johnny Allen, the pair jumped well from the inside barrier and took up the early lead. With an all the way lead, it was an easy watch.
&ldquo;Brendan found the horse, and we had to buy him. It&rsquo;s a thrill, this was our first winner at the Swan Hill Carnival&rdquo;. Explains Patrick Kearney.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a long straight at Swan Hill, the horse has done a good job.
&ldquo;We only bought him three weeks ago, and he was aimed at this race. It&rsquo;s a really good effort by him and the team.&rdquo;
&ldquo;All the owners are here today, they&rsquo;ve had a good day out&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Brendan found the horse, and we had to buy him. It&rsquo;s a thrill, this was our first winner at the Swan Hill Carnival&rdquo;.

Phair Plan goes to plan

Off the back of a win at Echuca one week ago over 2100 metres, the ever-consistent daughter of Needs Further looks to step up in class as she heads to Morphettville in South Australia for the Group 3 South Australia Fillies Classic.
Buddong was purchased from the Tasmanian Magic Millions Sale, and came into the system with Patrick Kearney Racing as a yearling. &ldquo;She was sent to our stable by owner Chris Grace, we were grateful to have the opportunity to train her.&rdquo; Explains Patrick.
&ldquo;She was a type of filly that needed time, so she was in and out for short preparations until she let us know she was ready.&rdquo;
&ldquo;She&rsquo;s been a pleasure to train, she showed some talent and looked to want more of a trip so we aimed her at the fillies races in Tasmanian Summer Carnival.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Following the carnival we bought her home and targeted the race at Morphettville in the Group 3 South Australia Fillies Classic over 2500 metres.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Going into the race off the back of a win at Echuca gives us some confidence that she is on the right track.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

Buddong on target

It would seem that Yellowbrick Road's mission is to grant young Ballarat-based trainer Patrick Kearney his every wish.
At his most recent start, he gave Kearney both his first city winner when he won at Sandown and then his first Group winner at his next start when he took out the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville.
And if the trend continues, Yellowbrick Road will deliver Kearney his first major race winner when he contests Monday's G2 Adelaide Cup, which would then allow him to plot a path to having a runner in Australia's most famous race, the Melbourne Cup.
Kearney has only been training for two-and-a-half years and he can't believe he has a runner in the Adelaide Cup.
"It's an amazing feeling taking a live chance into the Adelaide Cup and I'm hoping to get the job done," the 26-year-old said.
"The horse is very well. He's feeling great. He's in the zone. He's the best I can have him and he should lap up the 3200 metres."
Kearney purchased Yellowbrick Road for $8000 on a whim from Inglis Digital while having a few beers and he is still coming to terms with the ride the son of champion European three-year-old and now successful stallion Golden Horn has taken him on so far.
"He's thrived since coming here. We're quiet, we're boutique, we're very hands on with him and he's enjoying the environment he's in," he said.
"It's going to be a great day with the wonderful ownership group out there in force."
Kearney has engaged Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil to ride Yellowbrick Road and he has drawn barrier 11.
"Jye was quite keen to ride the horse. From barrier 11 he can track some good horses," Kearney said.
Yellowbrick Road is a $7.50 chance in Sportsbet's Adelaide Cup market.

Yellowbrick Road 'in the zone' for Cup

Emerging trainer Patrick Kearney is daring to dream after a horse he bought for $8000 at an online sale on the back of "a couple of beers" delivered him the biggest victory of his young career in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
<a href="https://www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/yellowbrick-road-ire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yellowbrick Road</a>&nbsp;gave&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racenet.com.au/profiles/trainer/patrick-kearney" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kearney</a>&nbsp;his first Melbourne winner at Sandown earlier this month and has raised the bar again with another gutsy display, defying the late challenges of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/the-map-aus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Map</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/hasta-la-war-aus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hasta La War</a>&nbsp;to book a place in next month's Adelaide Cup.
It's an astonishing rise to prominence for both the horse and the Ballarat-based trainer, the former a European import who didn't show much in a handful of starts for the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, while the latter has only had his licence for two years.
Now Kearney is taking the five-year-old gelding, who only had a maiden win at Kempton Park to his name before October, to the Adelaide Cup and he's relishing the moment.
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&nbsp;
"I love this horse, I cannot believe it," Kearney said.
"I paid $8000 online for this horse. I was sitting on the couch having a couple of beers when I thought &lsquo;stuff it, I'm buying him'.
"I've got a heap of really good people in him and he's come out and won a Group 3 today, my first Group race.
"He's so tough. We really look after him and he tries his guts out every time. I have no words, I can't believe it, my head is going to explode.
"We're having a really good run, gaining some momentum now and hopefully this horse can kick us away and we'll be back here for the Adelaide Cup.
"You know, dreams are free, if he wins that we might have a crack at the Melbourne Cup."
<img src="https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/20bf69521c956381b327003c2dfddfb3" alt="Jake Noonan urges Yellowbrick Road (4) home in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes. Picture: Makoto Kaneko" height="360" />
Jake Noonan urges Yellowbrick Road home in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes. Picture: Makoto Kaneko
It was a smart ride from jockey Jake Noonan, sitting prominent throughout before cutting the corner entering the straight to land the prize at $8.
Placegetters The Map and Hasta La War certainly lost no fans looking ahead to the Adelaide Cup after gallant performances but there seemed to be an issue with Grand Promenade, who was under pressure a long way out.

$8000 buy gives trainer first Group win

Patrick Kearney is hoping Yellowbrick Road's dramatic win at Sandown on Wednesday is a sign of things to come for his stable, as he looks to improve his bloodstock quality at the upcoming yearling sales.
The son of Golden Horn was well rated in front by Rhys McLeod throughout the 2100-metre Benchmark 70 and kept finding to cling onto a margin from a wall of challengers.
The Ballarat-based trainer was delighted to register his first Melbourne winner within three years of gaining his licence and will now look to test Yellowbrick Road at a higher level.
He also feels the achievement is symbolic of how well the stable, striking at 16 per cent from its past 50 runners, has progressed in recent months.
"I'm really happy and really proud of the way the horse is going at the moment," he said.
"We'll probably head off to the (Group 3) Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville and then try and see if we can get him to the Adelaide Cup.
"You're obviously always trying to achieve bigger things and I feel like with the quality of horses that we have, we're doing a really good job."
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Kearney had to sweat the win in the stewards' room, with connections of both Lauding (second) and Adonis Kick (third) alleging interference over the final stages.
But he said he wasn't too worried when he saw the head-on footage, believing the bulk of the interference was not Yellowbrick Road's fault.
"I thought we'd be pretty right the whole way through, the interference wasn't really caused by us from the beginning," he said.
"So, I was pretty confident and Rhys was pretty confident that we'd be ok."
Yellowbrick Road was just an $8,500 buy in the 2023 Early June Sale on Inglis Digital and has now won a touch under $70,000 for his new yard.
Yellowbrick Road, Ashy Boy - bought for $7500 and now with Glenn Stevenson in Tasmania, though still part-owned by Kearney - and Governor ($16,000) were just a few of the successful tried-horse purchases who have helped establish the stable over the past few years.
But Kearney is ready to make more plays in the yearling market, already spending $90,000 on an Ocean Park colt at the recent NZ sales at Karaka, with that pedigree page already receiving four winning updates.
He has also found success at the Tasmanian Magic Millions sales - lightly raced 2022 purchase Buddong has already broken her maiden and will line up in Sunday's Listed Strutt Stakes at Hobart.
Kearney is hopeful a strong result there, and more city winners in general, can attract owners to his operation as he attempts to up the ante in the sales ring.
"I've only bought one so far this year, but I'll definitely be down in Tassie for the sales, I couldn't miss that &hellip; I'm definitely going to be targeting nicer horses," he said.
"I've got a runner in the Strutt Stakes this Sunday that's heading towards the Tasmanian Oaks, so hopefully she can get the job done and that will really start to get the ball rolling properly." - Racing.com news desk

Stable adds first metro win at Sandown

Promising young trainer Patrick Kearney will be striving to achieve a milestone win this weekend when he takes Border Visage to Flemington on Saturday.
A last-start maiden winner at Yarra Valley, Border Visage will be out to provide Kearney with his first city winner when he lines up in the Benchmark 70 for three-year old&rsquo;s over 2000m.
While the grey gelding might not have shown a great deal in a recent jumpout, Kearney noted that that&rsquo;s not unusual for him and that he&rsquo;s been pleased with his trackwork since then.
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<th class="oWjjl8JKQw4TKHdxiBgd+A==">POS</th>
<th class="vYdLVh790vP0vqXIHjieow==">Jockey</th>
<th>Track</th>
<th class="_8QAoUlO60Ty1yviGHsPUog==">Date</th>
<th>DIST</th>
<th class="YVmq66qy8cCBQad3R6QXeA==">Race</th>
<th class="tae4LMsBfvNPF-f08DL7-Q==">WGT</th>
<th class="_3ufYhkbcDYOKJw-VBOLGkg==">MRG</th>
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<td class="oWjjl8JKQw4TKHdxiBgd+A==">1&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;9</td>
<td class="vYdLVh790vP0vqXIHjieow==">R.McLeod</td>
<td>Y VL</td>
<td class="_8QAoUlO60Ty1yviGHsPUog==">22 DEC 2023</td>
<td>1514m</td>
<td class="YVmq66qy8cCBQad3R6QXeA==">MDN-SW</td>
<td class="tae4LMsBfvNPF-f08DL7-Q==">58kg</td>
<td class="_3ufYhkbcDYOKJw-VBOLGkg==">1.8L</td>
<td class="ckHwnl8kxDXjmjrf84q0yA==">$7.50</td>
<td class="+wGJ3xEPU9jGoO-I55L+LA==">
<div class="index_rdc-icon__3algj index_rdc-icon--inline__w3847">&nbsp;</div>
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<td class="oWjjl8JKQw4TKHdxiBgd+A==">7&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;10</td>
<td class="vYdLVh790vP0vqXIHjieow==">J.Duffy</td>
<td>WANG</td>
<td class="_8QAoUlO60Ty1yviGHsPUog==">9 DEC 2023</td>
<td>1400m</td>
<td class="YVmq66qy8cCBQad3R6QXeA==">MDN-SW</td>
<td class="tae4LMsBfvNPF-f08DL7-Q==">58kg</td>
<td class="_3ufYhkbcDYOKJw-VBOLGkg==">9.2L</td>
<td class="ckHwnl8kxDXjmjrf84q0yA==">$19</td>
<td class="+wGJ3xEPU9jGoO-I55L+LA==">
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<td class="oWjjl8JKQw4TKHdxiBgd+A==">5&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;5</td>
<td class="vYdLVh790vP0vqXIHjieow==">J.Noonan</td>
<td>MORP</td>
<td class="_8QAoUlO60Ty1yviGHsPUog==">29 JUL 2023</td>
<td>1200m</td>
<td class="YVmq66qy8cCBQad3R6QXeA==">2YO CL2</td>
<td class="tae4LMsBfvNPF-f08DL7-Q==">57kg</td>
<td class="_3ufYhkbcDYOKJw-VBOLGkg==">8L</td>
<td class="ckHwnl8kxDXjmjrf84q0yA==">$7</td>
<td class="+wGJ3xEPU9jGoO-I55L+LA==">
<div class="index_rdc-icon__3algj index_rdc-icon--inline__w3847">&nbsp;</div>
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&ldquo;He had a gallop this morning and he worked very well with another horse who&rsquo;s quite a good gallop horse,&rdquo; Kearney said.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;ll head to Flemington on Saturday with high hopes of running top five and then ending up going down a Tasmanian Derby path.&rdquo;
WATCH: Border Visage&rsquo;s last start win
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The Tasmanian Derby will be run on February 9 and has proven to be a strong race in recent years, with subsequent Group 1 winners Explosive Jack and Dunkel taking out the race in 2021 and 2023 respectively.
Kearney currently has a team of 16 horses in work at his Ballarat stable and is pleased with how his stable is currently setup.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been training for just over two and a half years now, I think that I&rsquo;m finally figuring out a system that works,&rdquo; Kearney said.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got some really good staff, which obviously keeps it all ticking over and keep it going.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m really lucky that I&rsquo;ve got good jockeys to associate with like Rhys McLeod and Jarrod Fry, and I&rsquo;ve got young Beau Treloar that rides work for me every single day and he&rsquo;s come along in leaps and bounds, especially within the first six weeks of him being a jockey. He&rsquo;s been really good to have along; it&rsquo;s handy having people like that in my corner and me being able to rely on them.&rdquo; <img src="https://www.prism.horse/api/public/image/7e590a8fca29424491dace706b9995ad.jpg" alt="" /> - Racing.com News Desk

Happy Retirement Buddong

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