Horse nervous of horseboxes and other horses gains fairytale first win

A claustrophobic horse with an aversion to other thoroughbreds and horseboxes pulled off the most unlikeliest of wins at Fairyhouse on Tuesday after his ingenious trainer David Dunne trotted him to the racecourse.

Friends of Dunne had questioned why he was still persevering with Vodka Society, a 12-year-old who had never previously won a race or even earned his connections a single Euro in prize-money in a career spanning six years. But, in his own words, he was determined to “get to the bottom of him”.

Few would have given the veteran a second look when he lined up against 13 rivals in the 2m5f handicap chase but, transformed by an unorthodox journey to the track and jockey Sean O’Keeffe steering him deliberately wide of the opposition, the 18-1 chance romped home by 15 lengths.

Afterwards, Dunne revealed to Kevin O’Ryan on Racing TV that instead of loading Vodka Society into a horsebox he had resorted to trotting him from his stables, three and a half miles away, to the racecourse. And to ensure his companion was not spooked during the 30-minute journey, he was escorted by cars driving slowly in front and behind him.

Not only that, Dunne deliberately arrived at the racecourse as late as he dared to ensure Vodka Society was not hanging around and growing fretful. All horses have to be checked in an hour before they run, a requirement that on this occasion was completed with a whole two minutes to spare.

“He’s always shown that ability at home but he loses his races in the horsebox,” Dunne said. “He’s a massive worrier who used to have his races gone before he even got here. He’s also claustrophic of other horses, and so has to be ridden a certain way.

“We trotted him here today, and the last day he ran here. I knew it worked last time but that we had to make a few changes as he was here longer than he should have been.

“This time I was here two minutes before closing time, when he had to check in. He got microchipped away from all the other horses, had a pick of grass and was so relaxed. He used to shiver and shake and would be sweating, and I kind knew of knew if it was going to be any day [that he would win] then it was going to be today.

“Owners of other horses would ask me ‘Why have you still got that lad in the training?’ but I was determined to get to the bottom of him and today’s the day.”

He added: “He’s never had an injury and been frustrating, but it’s nice when it all come good. From what I’ve seen, Sean’s given him a peach, keeping him wide and dropped out. You don’t want him around horses.”

More races at Fairyhouse seem on his agenda, but Dunne, who trains a dozen horses, has not ruled out visits to Britain.

He said: “I could bring him over to England – travel him and then have him on the track for two days. That would be an option.

“Hopefully, he had a good experience today and the next time he goes in a horsebox he won’t be worrying. I know he’s 12, going on 13, but he hasn’t got many miles on the clock and is a good mover. He could go on for a few more years yet.”

The trainer, whose brother is jump jockey Robbie, is no stranger to defying the odds. His winners earlier this year include Department Of War at 100-1, plus Ballycastle Girl at 80-1.

But no winner is likely to ever give him more satisfaction that that of Vodka Society, a horse who can rest calmly in his stable this evening safe in the knowledge that he has “trotted up” twice in one day.