While City Of Troy charged home in a record time to land the G1 International Stakes, completing a remarkable hat-trick on the day for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, there was a much smaller operation that had to be recognised.

Limerick trainer Pat O’Donnell set off at 3am on Tuesday morning to complete the journey to York with EXTENSIO, and by 5pm on Wednesday it was all worth it.

The seven-year-old, who is just one of a small handful of horses-in-training at one of Ireland’s smallest yards, won the Stayers’ Handicap, quickening up well and winning convincingly.

“This is a big surprise, it’s unbelievable!”, said daughter O’Donnell upon collecting the £4,000 prize.

“From 3am on Tuesday morning with a horse box and the jeep we trucked our way over. Thankfully, he travelled great and settled in lovely. We have very few horses in training and just try our best to get them right for the big day. Today is very special and winning the £4,000 World Pool Moment of the Day is the cherry on top.”

Extensio and O’Donnell will have the chance to be named World Pool Moment of the Year, which offers a prize of a VIP trip to Hong Kong for four people.