Kinsale King Ascot bound

The Carl O’Callaghan-trained Kinsale King has been sent back to California following his win in the $2 million Golden Shaheen in Dubai last week.
Los Angeles-based O’Callaghan, who is from Newmarket-on-Fergus, told The Clare Champion that Kinsale King, owned by Corkman Dr Patrick Sheedy, will compete at Royal Ascot in the Golden Jubilee Stakes on June 19, where he will face a re-match with Rocket Man, who finished second in Dubai. The race in Ascot will be run over six furlongs.
“I think a lot of people will travel because it’s closer to home. I’d like to see them travelling,” O’Callaghan said before adding that his father Shay was present in Dubai on March 27, where he sang My Lovely Rose of Clare during the post-race celebrations.
“Dad made the trip but hopefully for Ascot, the mother will show up, and the brother. This is the pinnacle of my career in my first year training. To be this successful this early on is a great accomplishment.  This is what I want to do with my life and I’ve kind of proved to myself that I can do it,” he added.
However, O’Callaghan says that he owes his success to Kinsale King.
“This has put me on the map now but the horse deserves a lot of credit. Without him I’d be nothing. The horses make the trainer,” he reflected.
Now a Group 1-winning trainer, O’Callaghan feels that more doors may open for him.
“You hope it’ll happen. It’s not like I’m out there looking for owners but my door is always open for new ideas. I’ve got a great owner behind me in Dr Sheedy but, of course, I’d love to have more owners and more clients,” he acknowledged.
To prepare Kinsale King for Ascot O’Callaghan says that he may take the gelding to Maryland to train at Fair Hill Training Centre later this spring to avail of the long grass gallops.