'I went a bit mad' - owner enjoying returns after £1 million spending spree

Steve Ryan admitted to going "a bit mad" when splashing out £1 million at the sales, but the owner got another return on his investment when Gis A Sub gave him a third winner in six days in the Spindrifter Conditions Stakes.

Ryan has been in the sport for 30 years and increased his interests this year after retiring and selling his supplements business.

Following wins with Spitting Feathers at Carlisle on Wednesday and Catch Cunningham at Newcastle on Saturday, the Yorkshire owner enjoyed more juvenile joy in the 6f contest.

Kevin Ryan: has teamed up to great effect with Steve Ryan in recent times

"I retired this year, sold my business and went to the sales and went a bit mad," he said. "I had it on my bucket list to spend a million pounds on horses and I did. I bought six horses and it seems to be paying off. This was the last one, that's why I called him Gis A Sub."

The 63-year-old part-owned horses such as ill-fated Brocklesby winner Santry and Titus with Declan Carroll, but his recent winners have all been trained by Kevin Ryan, who said: "He's invested a lot of money and it doesn't give you success, but we've been lucky and have got some nice horses for him."

The trainer added of the well-backed 5-4 winner: "He's still a bit babyish and was half pulling up in front. He'll be a better horse when getting a lead in a better race. I think there's an awful lot to come from him and races like the Gimcrack would definitely be on the agenda."

Easterby has his eye in

William Easterby was delighted to see one of his sales picks come good when Carrigillihy scooted home in the 1m4f handicap.

Bought for 16,000gns as a yearling, the three-year-old did not race as a juvenile, but had shown promise before getting off the mark with a comfortable victory under David Allan.

Easterby, assistant to father Tim, said: "He's a lovely horse from a real staying family, who was bred by Juddmonte and whose dam is a half-sister to Workforce.

"He's run a few times this year and started with a nice mark and has run some good races. We'll look at the three-year-old-only races for him and hopefully he'll be a nice progressive stayer for this year and next."

Easterby added: "I love going to the sales. Emily [sister] and I are lucky as Dad gives us free rein to a certain extent with small budgets and it's going really well."

Emotional victory

Owner-breeder Ray Bailey was teary-eyed after Al Simmo racked up her hat-trick in the 6f fillies' handicap.

The winning run of the home-bred daughter of Al Kazeem, who is trained by Steph Hollinshead, holds extra meaning as Bailey explained: "This horse is named after a great friend of mine called Alan Simpson, who died in a plane crash two years ago, and I'll phone his missus Wendy in a minute and we'll have a bit of a tear.

"We're over the moon to get the hat-trick and Steph has done a magnificent job."

Replays, results and analysis

Read more of Monday's race reports

'Racing has ups and downs' – Harry Whittington bounces back after loss of stars

William Buick extends lead in jockeys' championship with tasty treble

Aidan O'Brien blames early incident for disappointing run by High Definition

'I thought we had it in the bag' – Meade rues Lone Eagle defeat in Irish Derby

Racing Post exclusive offer. New customers can get £30 in free bets. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 6 x £5 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets redeemable on horse racing only. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.