Chris Hayes Approaches 50 Wins as Jockeys Shine at Sligo

UPDATE: Jockey Chris Hayes is on the brink of an impressive milestone as he approaches 50 winners for the season. This surge in success continued at Sligo where he rode the 9/2 chance Chopsticks to victory in the concluding 13-furlong handicap, pulling ahead to win by five lengths.

Trained by John McConnell, the five-year-old Chopsticks asserted dominance with two furlongs to go, outpacing the 2/1 favorite, Arcland, trained by Gavin Cromwell. This latest victory adds to Hayes’ already impressive season and underscores his status as one of the top jockeys of 2025.

In a thrilling turn of events, trainer Donncha Duggan celebrated a win the following night with the six-year-old Ballykinlar, who triumphed in a two and a quarter mile rated novice hurdle at the same venue. Ridden by Eoin Staples, the 7/2 chance led after the second-last hurdle, finishing strong to beat Gordon Elliott’s 15/2 entry, Chortal, by another five lengths.

Meanwhile, at Leopardstown, apprentice jockey Joseph Harnett scored his second career victory, overcoming Hayes to claim the nine-furlong handicap aboard the Seamus Fahey-trained Sinbad My Dad. The 20/1 outsider led aggressively and held off the late challenge of Dermot Weld’s 4/1 favorite Medieval Night, winning by a solid one and a half lengths.

At the same meeting, Philip Rothwell celebrated with Mercury Mission, who captured his third race of the year in the two-mile one-furlong handicap hurdle. With Calum Hogan in the saddle, this 6/1 chance led at the final hurdle, narrowly defeating Richard O’Brien’s 11/1 entry, Feud, by just a neck.

In a dramatic finish at the Curragh on Saturday, Hayes and Dermot Weld helped punters breathe a sigh of relief as their three-year-old Esherann took the concluding eight-furlong handicap. The 5/2 favorite surged ahead at the two-furlong mark, finishing strong to win by one and three-quarters lengths against Stephen Thorne’s 13/2 shot, Hightimeyouwon. Notably, Esherann was the only winning favorite of the day, highlighting the competitive nature of the races.

Additionally, the father-son duo of Charles and Philip Byrnes from Ballingarry achieved a significant win in the three-mile one-furlong conditions’ hurdle with the seven-year-old Reverend Hubert at Kilbeggan. The 11/8 favorite showcased his strength, leading comfortably and winning by a remarkable 11 lengths over the 13/8 challenger, Jabbar.

As the racing season continues to heat up, all eyes will be on Hayes as he aims to reach that coveted 50-win mark. Fans and punters alike are eager to see if he can maintain this momentum in upcoming races. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling racing season!