Goliath Power

An emphatic bumper winner with a pedigree steeped in National Hunt success, this exciting son of Goliath du Berlais has already given his connections plenty to look forward to.

He made a strong impression when winning at Stratford, putting away a field that included several well-regarded rivals. That performance was enough to convince Fergal O’Brien that he wanted to keep him in the yard, and the form has since been boosted by a subsequent winner emerging from the race.

With a bumper success already on his CV, he offers owners the opportunity to join a horse who has demonstrated his ability on the racecourse, with the next chapter of his career still ahead of him.

His pedigree adds to the appeal. His sire, Goliath du Berlais, was a Grade 1-winning chaser in France and has already produced talented performers including Altura, winner of the Grade 2 Prix Jean Stern, and Delmegan, winner of the Grade 2 Prix Magalen Bryant.

His dam, Buck’s Bankable, was herself a dual winner over jumps in France and comes from the family of the legendary staying hurdler Big Buck’s. Further jumping quality comes through his damsire, Poliglote, who also features as the broodmare sire of Grand National winner I Am Maximus.

Fergal commented: “I was worried when he went in the online sale, will I get to keep him or not. I think he can win another bumper with a penalty for sure, he will have no problem jumping a fence in time. We have got everything there and he is still only four; he is still a baby.”

With winning form in the book, an encouraging pedigree and a trainer who knows him well, he is an appealing prospect for the coming National Hunt season.

Fergal O’Brien was born in Ireland and made the move to England in 1989 to work for Captain Tim Forster. He then made the move to Nigel Twiston-Davies where he stayed for 19 years and finished as Assistant Trainer. During his time there he oversaw two Grand National winners and a Gold Cup winner in Imperial Commander.

Fergal started training in 2011, following a brief spell as a successful Point-to-Point trainer. He is joined by his partner and Assistant Trainer, Sally Randall, who held a license in her own right before joining the team. Together they moved to the state-of-the-art Ravenswell Farm in 2019 and has since achieved multiple Graded successes with the likes of Poetic Rhythm scoring in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle. In the 2020-21 season, Fergal achieved his first century of winners and, at the conclusion of the 24/25 N.H season, the team amassed circa £1.2million in prize money.

Getting to Know: Fergal O'Brien