William F Browne secures victory at Naas

Trained by Ger Lyons, William F Browne fought back valiantly in the final furlong to secure victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Claiming Maiden at Naas.

Starting as the 6/5 favourite, the Arizona gelding had to work hard under Colin Keane, ultimately winning by a neck over Mighty Day. In a race where three runners pulled clear, William F Browne showed determination to fend off both Mighty Day and the eventual third-place finisher, Wonderfulwonderful.

Champion jockey Keane demonstrated his strength aboard the gelding, who had finished as runner-up in his last outing at Roscommon last month.

“He's named after Willie Browne, from whom I bought him,” said Ger Lyons. “When we were walking around the parade ring at the sales, I saw this horse. He looked stunning on one side but had a striking white eye on the other.”

“Me and Kerry were admiring him, and I said, 'He’s lovely, he’s my type of horse.' But then he turned, and I thought, 'Holy God!' Unbeknownst to me, Willie Browne was right next to me and asked what was wrong. I said, 'I can’t do white eyes, Willie; it never works for me.' He replied, 'Don’t be so stupid.' I told him I’d buy the horse to prove it wrong, and if I did, I’d name him Willie 'effing' Browne. When the auction ended, he rushed over to me and said, 'Do me a favour, add a bit of class and call him William!' And that’s how William F Browne got his name. It cost me £60,000 to prove a point.”