Thumbs up from Michael House after Father Lenihan’s upset win. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Michael brings the House down first-up with longshot veteran Father Lenihan
By Barry Lichter • 31 August 2023
“Oldest horse, oldest jockey, idiot trainer.”
Trainer Michael House was full of quips after nine-year-old Father Lenihan and Terry Moseley scored first-up at long odds on the Riccarton synthetic track today.
“No, I’m a genius,” House came back when asked if he’d given the Lincoln Farms-owned horse a heart transplant after a 30-race run of outs stretching back to October, 2019.
Father Lenihan staves off a big late charge from Hemi Ridapest at Riccarton. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.“It’s Prebbleton Veterinary Hospital. We can get them out of the grave,” House said.
“He’s actually pretty sound for a nine-year-old. I’ve had him right a couple of times but he had a run of bad draws.”
It was Father Lenihan’s first race since May 18 today but House said the oldtimer was actually ready to go three weeks ago when he reared in the gates and had to be scratched.
Sent to trial, Faher Lenihan ran right up in behind the first three home at Ashburton, giving House confidence he was in good heart.
And stepping out in today’s rating 60, the lowest graded race he’d run in since clearing maidens back in May, 2018, House thought he’d be competitive.
“I never gave up on him. He’s a cool old horse, we love him, and he’s been a good project.
“I’m a genius” House could be saying to Terry Moseley on unsaddling. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.“He’s probably buggered in the ratings now. But if we find the right race and draw he can win another one.”
House said after the horse was “naughty” in the gates three weeks ago he upped his workload, figuring he had him too well.
“I’ve been a lot harder on him this time, put a lot more miles into him and that was a pretty good gallop today. He ran 1:22.36 for the 1400 metres.”
Out fast from his good inside draw, Father Lenihan trailed third and fourth on the fence, pushed through runners at the 400 and collared the leader Show Bazz, before staving off a big late charge from the hot favourite Hemi Ridapest to win by a neck.
It was his first win for House in 13 attempts, and fifth win in all, taking his career bankroll to $116,630.