€165,000 Auctav Online Sale purchase Go Athletico claimed his second victory for the team while staying on strongly to land the Group 3 Westgrove Hotel Renaissance Stakes under Ronan Whelan for owners Team Valor & Shamrock Thoroughbreds at the Curragh on Sunday last.

Having broken steadily from the gates, the Goken gelding raced prominently over on the near side before Ronan asked for an effort 2 furlongs out to close down on leader Big Gossey who he headed at the furlong pole and then went on to win comfortably to score by half a length.
Speaking afterwards, Ado said, “He’s in the Abbaye next week. We ran him here because the forecast was giving it to be quite a dry week. He might travel but if it is dry we won’t run him. I have to speak to Barry Irwin of Team Valor first. There is a big possibility that he goes as there isn’t a whole pile left for him.

He deserves to get it, he’s been very consistent. He’s been a great horse for me, he’s only had four runs and hit the ground running. I’m very lucky and privileged to have him. He wasn’t a very expensive horse and it was great to get him.

There’s been very little between him and Ken’s horse Moss Tucker all year and if he’s fancied for the Abbaye next week he won’t be too far behind him. Fingers crossed he could go there.

He’s a great horse to have. He probably would just like a little bit of juice in it but I’ve worked him on good ground and he’s no bad horse.

Ronan gave him a good ride today, it was straight-forward. Fingers crossed he can stay sound and he’ll stay going. There is plenty to look forward to with him.”