Trainer Jessica Harrington and daughter Kate teamed up in glorious fashion to take the feature race on day one of the Galway Festival with Modem.
The five-year-old was sent off a 5-1 chance at the bottom of the weights for the two-mile Connacht Hotel Qualified Riders’ Handicap and turned in a power-packed display for her proud connections.
Wood Breizh held a slight initiative off the bend, but the grey was overwhelmed by Ted Veale, Awesome Star and Modem inside the final 250 yards.
But it was the latter who held the momentum when it mattered as Kate Harrington kept her companion up to his work to defeat runner-up Awesome Star by a neck.
Ted Veale, the 4-1 favourite, was not far away in third spot, while Wood Breizh stayed on doggedly for fourth.
Modem’s sights will now be briskly switched towards the Guinness Galway Hurdle on Thursday.
Jessica Harrington said: “Everything we wanted to happen in the race happened.
“I said, ‘Jump out, get a place on the rails’, and it was absolutely brilliant.
K.Harrington take a bow. Horse racing: only sport in world where women compete on equal footing with men..and even do better! #Modem #Galway
— James Makey (@JamesMakey1917) July 27, 2015
“Kate got out and he was great, the little horse.
“He absolutely battled to the line and he’s a smashing little horse.
“We’re trying to go for the big-race double.
“He’s had a rest from Cheltenham to Killarney and we’ve been keeping him for this.
“This was the plan but I didn’t think he’d ever get into this race.”
Modem wins the feature amateur riders handicap on day one of the Galway festival with Kate Harrington riding for mother Jessica
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) July 27, 2015
Kate Harrington said: “You need some luck in this race, but I jumped out and got a perfect position.
“Hopefully he’ll run on Thursday and he’d have a right chance.
“I always dreamt one day I would win this race but I can’t believe it’s happened.”