Evidence in the case was heard today in the Central Criminal Court.
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14 Nov 2025
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14 Nov 2025
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Winning connections pictured in the enclosure at Punchestown with their horse Sopelana.
On Thursday, November 13, a horse part-owned by Mayo GAA coach was in the winning enclosure at Punchestown Racecourse much to the shock of many.
The horse Sopelana claimed victory in the Matchbook Betting Podcast 3-Y-O Hurdle which took place at 1.35pm. The horse trained by Cian Collins was ridden by talented jockey Jordan Gainford with Sopelana’s victory coming as a huge surprise as the horse finished up at odds of 40/1.
The race had plenty of well-known names involved as the favourite Mode Avion was trained by Gordon Elliot while the second favourite In My Teens ran under the ownership of JP Mc Manus.
Sopelana, owned by the Tally’s Bar Syndicate, included Mayo GAA coach Paddy Tally and well known Irish broadcaster Hector Ó hEochagáin, who were over the moon as their 40/1 mare scooped first place earning €8,100 in prize money.
The mare, who appears to enjoy soft ground, could see the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a long term target. You can watch the interview with winning connections below.
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