JONNY Cowden’s spirited assault on The Irish Field National Drivers’ Title has enlivened the closing weeks of the harness season. The Glengormley-based 25-year-old landed a double at the penultimate meeting of 2026 at Annaghmore.
We could do with the late Bill Herlihy to explain the league table, as he used to do at Italia ’90 and such events. Going into tomorrow’s meeting, Patrick Kane (winnerless in two meetings) has two more ‘first past the post’ than Cowden.
The Irish Harness Racing Association confirmed during the week that the ‘two’ is actually ‘three’, as Jonny had a winner disqualified for a breach of rules by the trainer back at the Dundalk meeting in August.
Therefore, if Jonny wins three races on tomorrow’s card and Patrick Kane were to have a blank day, then the younger man lifts the silver salver on a count back of second places.
It’s a bit like saying Ireland have to win by three clear goals and the Brazilians draw 0-0. But stranger things have happened in both football and harness racing.
It’s a shame there has to be a loser as both men have put in some fine displays since May.
Double opened
Jonny’s double on the day opened as he guided George McCormack’s Gamin Marandais to pick up the Grade F trot.
Favourite Jelina Benoit (4/5) did not find much for John Richardson when sent in pursuit of the winner. The €2,356 for first place is a nice catch for the fishing village of Portavogie, if you’ll excuse the pun.
Cowden’s second winner was Kevin Corey’s Montanas Prince (9/4) in the Red Mills All-Ireland pace. Like jockeys, the top drivers often have difficult choices and Jonny called this one right as he got off Just A Moment, who he normally drives, for the smaller son of Foreclosure.
Forcing tactics worked and Billy Roche on Neville Martin’s Just A Moment (5/4 to 4/6) could not peg back Montanas Prince.
The time of 2.00 flat is a new lifetime best for the winner, trained by Jonny’s father Noel. The race lost some of its lustre when there were not enough top-class entries to make it a free-for-all*, but takes nothing away from the winner. “It was nice to win for the McCormacks, as they have raced all season. Also it was great to win another All-Ireland for the Coreys,” summarised Jonny. The Coreys have already won two All-Irelands with the iron horse Fairdays Western.
The Red Mills All-Ireland Trot was also a handicap. The Kanes sportingly left Harry Knows in the race, but he had a colic scare 36 hours before the off. Happily, the symptoms passed quickly and he was reported to be at home in Summerhill by Tuesday. Harry Knows has won his way into the hearts of the public and the satchels of the bookies.
In his absence, Joe Gannon’s Hulk Chantereine posted his best run of the season to be crowned All-Ireland Champion on the trot. The manner of his victory and the time (2.33.7 off a 40-yard trail) might give Harry something to think about if we are lucky enough to see them clash in 2027. The Red Baron, Billy Roche held the ‘lines’.
“He has won three races lately and has lived up to his French record. He’s a real one,” said a delighted Billy.
Ladies’ race
Elsewhere, Erin Flanagan and Kermesse Du Croq did not put a foot wrong in winning a rare Ladies’ Race. Mary Gilligan was second with Hot To Trot, while Erin’s cousin Jodie Sheridan was third. The race was in memory of Bernie Kelly and was sponsored by Springhill Stud and Vintage Locks hair salon.
West Cork lady Chelsie O’Driscoll would normally be in the thick of it for such an event, but she was otherwise engaged (see accompanying article).
The Cookstown sizzle
Coalford Danceman made a belated return to form in the Grade G pace and gave Magherafelt-born but Kildress-based Sean Murphy a first win under official rules.
Murphy says the yard is ‘near Cookstown’, so Danceman is the first pacer to win from that area.
“My brother Shea and I bought a couple of track horses and we put down a training track at Shea’s house. I got a great trip and it felt great to get off the mark,” Sean told The Irish Field.
Tyrone got two on the scoreboard, when Coalford Henry H took out the Grade F pace for Sean and Simon Duggan. Henry H has been a model of consistency all year. “He had four runners-up in a row - he deserved this,” said driver Simon.
Isba Quick (9/4) gave Adam Corey another win to follow up his victory with Extrem Ryld at the previous meeting. Klausou d’Amour was the bridesmaid with John Boy Roche.
“She has turned out to be a nice mare,” commented Adam. “She trotted 2.35 off her mark.”
The final meeting of 2026 throws in at 2pm tomorrow.
Results, entries and information at www.irishharnessracing.com. Replays on IHRA YouTube channel.
* free-for-all: top grade race with no handicaps.
IRELAND continues to punch above its weight on the world harness racing stage. Twenty-six-year-old Chelsie O’Driscoll from West Cork became the latest of our young horsepersons to bring success to the flag at Geelong, Victoria, Australia last weekend.
Chelsie won a maiden pace with Katunti in a mile rate of 2.03.8 at an SP of $23.30. She made the running and had to work hard to fend off the fast-finishing Son Of Platinum driven by the aptly-named Blake Pace.
The pride of Drimoleague told The Irish Field about life down under. “I’ve been working with Marg and Paddy Lee for the past 11 months, which has been a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business.
“They train some of Australia’s biggest stars, including Keayang Zahara, the country’s number one trotter, and Jilliby Nitro, who recently won the Geelong Pacing Cup and is nicknamed ‘The Cup King’.
“Through Marg and Paddy, as well as top Australian drivers Jason Lee and Glen Craven, I’ve been able to learn a lot and continue developing my driving and training skills, while obtaining a licence to do both. From my first 22 race drives in Australia, I’ve recorded one win, three seconds and one third and some minor placings, so hopefully this first win can help build some momentum!
“It was a special moment to get the win for trainer/owner Jason Camilleri, as it was this horse ‘Katunti’ who I drove in my first trial drive in order to obtain my race licence in this country and she was also my very first race drive here. I’ve now driven her three out of her five starts and now she’s given me my first win, so we broke our maiden tag together!
“Geelong seems to be my lucky track so far, with my only other drive being on Jilliby Kymy Lou who just got edged out by a nose in a race time of 1.54.2. So it was nice to go back and get this win.’’
John Richardson raced for a brief spell in Australia in 2015, although in a different region. JR said: “Australian racing is tough, it’s a big achievement for Chelsie to get this far.”