By Sean Cronin
Michael O'Callaghan trainee Push The Boat Out (Kodi Bear), who annexed a six-furlong Curragh maiden on debut earlier this month, returned over the same course and distance to upset the hitherto undefeated Great Barrier Reef (No Nay Never) in Saturday's G3 Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes.
“When they win a maiden first time out, they have to jump up to this level,” explained O'Callaghan. “There was a little bit of greenness there during the middle part of the race and he came off the bridle early, but Seamie [Heffernan] got him rolling from halfway. Seamie said he feels like a miler next year and was very complimentary of him, but said he's still a little bit weak. He's unbeaten, he's won his Group race and he's beaten the Coventry winner. Seamie mentioned Newmarket [for the G1 Dewhurst], so we'll get him home and let the dust settle. We'll enjoy today.”
The 17-2 chance was positioned in third from the outset of this black-type bow. Coming under pressure approaching the quarter-mile marker, he went second entering the final furlong and was ridden out to collar Great Barrier Reef, who was conceding five pounds all round, by a neck nearing the line.
This month's G1 Phoenix Stakes third Velozee (Sioux Nation) kept on well to finish 1 3/4 lengths adrift in third.
2⃣out of 2⃣ 👊
Kodi Bear colt Push The Boat Out downs hot favourite Great Barrier Reef in the Round Tower Stakes.@MDOCallaghan | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/gOu6uokbfZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 29, 2026
Pedigree Notes
Push The Boat Out, who becomes the sixth Group-race winner for his sire, is the second of four registered foals and leading performer produced by a half-sister to Listed Cork Sprint winner and G3 Greenlands third An Saighdiur (Acclamation) and to the dam of Listed Pontefract Castle third Only Orsenfoolsies (Trade Fair).
The winner, who is from the family of G1 Racing Post Trophy-winning sire Dilshaan (Darshaan), is full to yearling and weanling fillies.
Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
HEIDER FAMILY STABLES ROUND TOWER STAKES-G3, €70,000, Curragh, 8-29, 2yo, 6fT, 1:14.70, gd.
1–PUSH THE BOAT OUT (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Kodi Bear (Ire)
1st Dam: Brief Angel (Ire), by Dark Angel (Ire)
2nd Dam: Brief Sentiment (Ire), by Brief Truce
3rd Dam: Sentiment (GB), by Dancing Brave
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (37,000gns Ylg '25 TADEY; 85,000gns 2yo '26 TATGBU). O-Push The Boat Out Partnership; B-Clive Cox; T-Michael O'Callaghan; J-Seamus Heffernan. €42,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $65,666. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Great Barrier Reef (Ire), 136, c, 2, No Nay Never–Gems (GB), by Haafhd (GB). TDN Rising Star. O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Barronstown Stud; T-Aidan O'Brien. €14,000.
3–Velozee (Ire), 128, f, 2, Sioux Nation–Ocean Life (Ire), by Territories (Ire). (€92,000 Ylg '25 GOFORY). O-Gary Matthews, Steve Weston & Lucky Hat; B-Grange & Manister House Studs; T-Paddy Twomey. €7,000.
Margins: NK, 1 3/4, 3 3/4. Odds: 8.50, 0.80, 3.00.
Also Ran: Livenka (GB), Where Love Lives (Ire). Scratched: Ruler's Control (Ire), Beibhinn (Ire).
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