Horse In Focus - Mossey Joe

Mossey Joe

• Mossey Joe put in an impressive performance to run away with the Grade 3 O'Connell Group Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle at Cork at the weekend. The 7yo son of Moscow Society pulled hard and Andrew Leigh couldn't get him to settle but it made no difference as he was much too good for his rivals and won as he liked.

• He beat Fists O Fury easily by 9L and Askanna was a further 2L away back in 3rd. These are two very good horses in there own right and really gives the form a solid look. 

• The big 17.2 gelding is owned and bred by William Clifford out of the Henbit mare Delmiano. His patience with this horse is really starting to pay off now.  

• Mossey Joe started his racing career in March of this year at the age of 7. He ran in two Point to Points in the Spring in Lisronagh and Stradbally and won them both easily.  

• He then made his racecourse debut in a 2m 7f hunter chase in his local track Tipperary that April, which he won easily again. That was on good ground but his next start was over 3m on soft ground in Cork, which didn't prove any disadvantage.

• He looks a very exciting prospect after this performance and his trainer Willie Austin thinks that he'll even come on a good bit from the run! His future will be over fences and the Irish National would be his main aim. He will have another run over hurdles first - if there will be any meeting on again! There looks to be very exciting times ahead for all involved, wherever he goes.