TOM-QUEALLYTom Queally’s reputation within the world of flat racing continues to soar after his “amazing” Group 1 double at Newmarket on Saturday. The Cappagh man, who turned 26 a fortnight ago, is now one of the best in the business, having been the de facto stable jockey for legendary ten-time champion trainer Henry Cecil — “a genius” — for the past couple of years.

With over 600 career winners under his belt already, Queally earned the guts of stg£40,000 from his ‘Champions Day’ triumphs aboard unbeaten Galileo colt ‘Frankel’ in the Dubai Dewhust Stakes (billed as the two-year-old race of the century, which he won handsomely without even using the whip) and another Prince Khalid Abdulla horse, the trusty ‘Twice Over’ in defending the Emirates Airlines Champion Stakes half-an-hour later. And all after he’d to pass a concussion test in the build-up following a heavy fall on his head at Goodwood the previous Sunday.

Tom, who piloted his first winner a decade ago while still a 15-year-old student at Dungarvan CBS, has progressed nicely, largely thanks to the beneficence of gambler/trainer Barney Curley. But he really broke into the big time in 2009 with five Group 1 victories as well as a $2m jackpot at the massive Breeders Cup meeting in California.

“A superstar”, whom Tom also calls “my Ferrari”, ‘Frankel’ is now short-priced ante-post favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby while ‘Twice Over’ is a live contender for the Dubai World Cup.

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