Ultra consistent mare Momaer helped trainer Mark Loughnane set a new personal best domestic tally of winners in a calendar year following a tenacious success in the Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap at Newmarket today.
Having spent most of 2023 watching his son Billy Loughnane, who was recently crowned champion apprentice jockey, take the headlines the Worcestershire-based handler enjoyed a moment centre stage himself thanks to the daughter of Belardo, who provided him with winner number 42 of the year.
With two wins already next to her name this year the 9-1 chance held off the late challenge laid down by Ramiro when prevailing by a neck under Josephine Gordon to give Loughnane his landmark success.
Loughnane said: “She ran well at Windsor last time out on soft ground and she seems to love the ground like this.
“That is my forty second winner of the year which is a best domestic total for our team in a year so it is happy days all round.
“Josie knew what she was doing so I just left it to her. The mare had her ground and she just kept filling her up. When they went past the two pole I was quite happy with how she was going.
“This mare has held her form well all year and it is great to get a winner for Derek (Lovatt, owner) who has been a big supporter of mine.”
Coming into the meeting Billy Garritty featured on a list of riders yet to taste glory on the Rowley Mile, however that all changed following the runaway success secured by Bust A Move in the Betfred “Hot Shots” Nursery Handicap.
After finishing third on his most recent start at York the Michael and David Easterby-trained Ribchester gelding left his rivals toiling on his first start over nine furlongs when powering clear to score by seven and a half lengths.
Garritty said of the 4-1 winner: “It is grand to ride a winner here as it is a good track. It is riding very soft today and that has probably suited my lad as he is by Ribchester and is out of a dam that was placed in soft ground in France so I was always confident he would handle the ground.
“The trip was a bit of a worry as he can be a little bit keen in his races, but there he was very settled after half a furlong and he just worked into it. He has picked up well and done it well.”
