Saturday saw an exciting day for the team at Thomastown Castle when Son Of Rest made history becoming the first Irish winner of the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup dead-heating with Baron Bolt.

Owned by Brian Parker, Son Of Rest had been ante-post favourite all week after finishing second in the Group One Fly Five Stakes at the Curragh last weekend.

Son Of Rest broke from the pack with a furlong to go, with Baron Bolt following in pursuit and the pair crossed the line together, well clear of the rest. It was an agonising wait for all concerned, but after seven minutes a dead-heat was announced.

“I thought he’d got back up, but I said to Brian Parker (owner) coming off the stand that I’d settle for a dead-heat. We’re thrilled, we’re over the moon and to be the first Irish winner makes it more special. It just shows how hard it is, but these guys up here think of nothing else but this race.

“Just maybe — we’ll see how he is and I’ll chat to Brian — but if the ground is in our favour we may just supplement him for Ascot (British Champions Sprint) if the ground was in his favour.” Fozzy Stack.

“I knew I was in front too soon, but in fairness to him he kept going and got me out of trouble. I thought I was beat, so it’s a bit of a result.” jockey, Chris Hayes.