10 Questions with Gail Carlisle Groom to Hurricane Fly
In good company… from left: Quevega who won the olbg mares for the fifth year running, Hurricane Fly who won the Stan James Champion Hurdle for the second time, and
Champagne Fever who won the Supreme Novice Hurdle today at Cheltenham.
Today was a good day for County Down when Hurricane Fly won the Stan James Champion Hurdle for the second time in three years. Owned by George Creighton and County Down Frank Boyd, he resides in training with Willie Mullins’ in Bagenalstown, under professional care of his groom, County Down’s Gail Carlisle.
It’s just another working day for the team at Willie Mullins celebrating a successful first day of the Cheltenham festival with three wins. Champagne Fever won the Supreme Novice Hurdle, Hurricane Fly won the Stan James Champion Hurdle for the second time, followed by Quevega who won the olbg mares for the fifth year running. Tomorrow looks to be an even busier day with thirteen runners to keep connections on their toes.
We caught up with Gail who managed to squeeze in time to answer our newly featured ’10 questions’
What is your favourite racing festival of the year? It has to be Cheltenham as it such a main focus of the whole year and even though it’s hard work, it’s a good week and all the Irish stay together in the hostel and at the track – it’s really good craic. I also like the Punchestown festival at the end of the season as it’s close to home and the championships are often decided that week.
How will you celebrate tonight? A meal and a few beers with the team, then an early night as we’ve a busy day tomorrow with 13 runners.
Were you able to watch the champion hurdle race this year or were you too nervous? I was in the grooms stand and watched it in parts like the year before – I box walked a lot during the race.
Describe Fly in three words. hyper / focused / special
What’s the first thing he does when you turn him out? He just wanders off across the paddock to join his mate Mikael d’haguenet, in that respect he’s very laid back.
What do you do when you’re not at the yard? – I spend time visiting friends around the country or go to the local point to point.
Describe your perfect day off – a long lie in to get up to a sunny day and meet friends at the local point to point then back to my best friends house for Chinese, glass of rose and a catch up!
What’s in your fridge? – not much…lol
Is there anything you would like to achieve outside of the equestrian sphere? – I spent a year in Australia and would like to travel some more.
What’s your favourite equine charity and why? Injured jockeys fund. our sport is a high risk one and unfortunately there are injuries which at worse can be career ending. This charity helps the jockeys and their families through the injury aiding with rehabilitation and after care.
Category: 10 Questions, Features, News, Racing, Uncategorized
