A couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in style as their horse Kilcruit took home the win in the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase and landed its owners €59,000 in prize money.
The short-priced eight-year-old outclassed the field in the second race of the day to power home and beat second-placed Jody Ted with ease by 15 lengths.
Shortly after the race, owners Michael and Mona Masterson chatted to RTE to express their delight at winning big on the anniversary of their golden day.
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"Special moment yeah, especially here at Punchestown," Michael told Brian Gleeson of RTE, with Mona proclaiming that she was "so happy" to get the win.
"It's the genius of the man Willie Mullins. Of all the races we've had this year, only two we didn't get in. It's great isn't it? A winner at Punchestown."
"And I've stuck with her for 50 years and that's some doing," chuckled Michael.
When asked what is was like watching her horse, Mona replied, "It was nerve-wracking, but the last couple of fences there we knew he had them and we knew he was going to do it."
Finally, revealing the secret to 50-years together, Mona said the following: "It's the special days. He's just fantastic. You love him, you hate him, you could bash him.
"But at the end of the day, we've been together for 50 years and let's hope there's a few more years there."
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