Mixed emotions for Mooney clan at Fairyhouse

Meath jockey Martin Mooney got the New Year off to a good start with an almost (by now) customary winner on the opening day of the year at his local track Fairyhouse for his father and trainer Paddy.

It was a day of mixed emotions for the Mooney clan as they won a handicap hurdle in fine style with Wooly Tom but they also lost the veteran campaigner Good Fella after he finished seventh in a hurdle race and subsequently dropped dead.

“Wooly Tom did well to keep going on that ground and the fact he wasn't carrying a lot of weight was a help too,” commented the trainer about the victory.

Good Fella finished fourth on New Year's Day in 2012, but won on New Year's Day at Fairyhouse in 2009 and 2008.

Conall Collier