A famous football name could be on Sunday’s racecard at Naas as Brazilian international Philippe Coutinho is the part owner of a €450,000 racehorse.
The Michael O’Callaghan-trained Olivia Maralda is set to make her racing debut in the Group Three Coolmore Stud Fillies’ Sprint Stakes ahead of a potential tilt at Royal Ascot next month.
She races in the colours of AMO Racing but O’Callaghan confirmed on Tuesday that the two-year-old filly is partly owned by Coutinho, the former Liverpool and Barcelona player now plying his trade for Aston Villa in the Premier League. Steven Gerrard’s side host Crystal Palace at Villa Park on Sunday.
Olivia Maralda was a €450,000 purchase out of a Breeze Up sale.
“She cost plenty of money but I think she’s a decent filly. The soccer player, Philippe Coutinho, owns half of her. They’re trying to get the registration sorted in time so his name appears on the racecard,” O’Callaghan explained.
“We’ll see how she works during the week but I wouldn’t be concerned about pitching her in at Group Three level on debut.
“I think she’s going to …
- May 11, 2022
