JUST like that, the 2025 harness racing season finished as quickly as it started at a rain-soaked Annaghmore last Sunday.
Our photo of Patrick Kane receiving the 2025 The Irish Field silver salver for leading driver is evidence why this is essentially a summer sport. The weather was miserable and the mood was further darkened by the news of the untimely passing of one of the sport’s brightest stars, Alan Richardson.
On a joyful note, George McCormack from Portavogie gained his first lifetime win on the last day of the season with the likeable nine-year-old Gamin Marindais (4/1).
Owner and horse have filled every position except first in the past two seasons, they were overdue a turn. George was quick out of the gate and won by a wide margin from the newcomers Idea Roussac (Luke Timlin) and Laguarda Du Bocage (Noel Ryan). The favourite Jelina Benoit ran no sort of race for John Richardson.
“That felt great. I’ve had some bad luck, so it’s nice to turn things,” was the quote from George, now in his third season with a licence. The winner received a rousing cheer from the stand.
Gamin Marindais and George McCormick in full flight \ Chloe Nelson
Always Skye and Jonny Cowden put in a great effort to win the top grade pace off 50 yards. Ayr Beach (Chelsie O’Driscoll) was nibbled at by punters. Chelsie gave Ayr Beach every chance, but the Coleraine-based mare loves something to chase and wore down the Cork raider.
Leading pacing mare
Lawrence Stewart has now trained the leading pacing mare in the country three years in a row. He trained Sweet Caroline in 2023 and Always Skye in 2024.
I repeat my message at the end of last season; a few crystal plaques or trophies would be appreciated by the connections of Mare Of The Year, Horse Of The Year and so on. Lawrence’s wife Lesley Anne and children Lucas (8) and Kaitlyn (7) cheered at the top of their voices.
The winning time of 2.00.4 from a 50-yard trail on a sloppy track was one of the performances of the season.
Jonny Cowden finishes the season joint fifth nationally in the drivers’ table. The runner up, third, fourth and fifth are all relatively young, so Patrick will not have a free run at the title in coming seasons.
Lee O’Reilly’s Inaya De Mongochy made it three in a row in the Grade B trot. Freddy Kavanagh was in the bike. Extrem Ryld trotted well as in recent weeks for Adam Corey.
“She’s a lovely mare to drive. She’ll not be disgraced in the top grade next year,” said Freddie who works as a farrier.
Sean Duggan was away at the Breeders’ Crown in Mohawk, Canada as part of around 20 Irish trotting followers at that meeting. Cousin Simon took care of their runners. The good-looking black gelding caused an upset in beating the crack miler Homa (Eoin Murphy), recent winner Grand Galaxie (Patrick Kane jnr) and the consistent Feugeres Erem (Dan McAteer).
Simon drove himself and the old adage ‘get to the front on a mucky day’ proved effective. The six-year-old will get a good winter up in Galbally and the cousins like to race their horses frequently.
Homa trotted well for second money. She more than covered her costs under the care of Ciaran Morrison for owners Murphy Brothers from Baltimore.
Market right
The market got it right in the Grade F pace. Favourite One Cool Touch beat second favourite Louis Vutton in a respectable 2.03.6. Darren Timlin and Dan McAteer respectively were the drivers. Timlin recently bought ‘the Touch’ out of the Roche yard. He is a typically tough Kiki colt and will win a few next year, if he stays in the humble grades.
The Meadowbranch yard from Ballyboughal had a well-documented quiet 2025. However, ‘The Ballydoyle of Harness Racing’ showed signs that things were turning in the late season. John Richardson won the E to F trot with the chesnut mare Hallucinant, with stable companion Kermesse Du Crocq runner-up driven by Erin Flanagan.
Patrick Kane jnr rarely leaves the venue without a winner. He picked up a little Grade G pace aboard Alan Perse’s Wellfield Eve (4/6 favourite) trained by Ciaran Morrison. The winner is only three and should go up the grades next season. Micky The Marcher marched into second place for Buster Gilligan.
Third-placed Porterstown Rhian showed some of her sire and dam’s prowess in her recent runs for trainer Grahem Byrne and is probably worth trying again next year. Adam Corey drove on the day.
Both ponies and kids get into the Halloween vibe \ Chloe Nelson
BELATED congratulations to Doneraile-based apprentice Robbie Maguire (17), who was nominated by the IHRA to represent this country in the European Apprentice Championships at the Hippodrome San Pardo in Majorca, Spain on October 18th.
Robbie had a fourth in the opening race followed by two unplaced efforts.
“It was an honour to wear the Irish colours. We were made very welcome by the organisers,” said Robbie, who works closely with his grandfather John Boyle.
WHILE all his Annaghmore rivals are heading for the meadow, Harry Knows has to work on as his recent form has earned him a trip to France.
In France, even a recognised racehorse like Harry must qualify by trotting a certain time. In our terms, Harry had to beat 2.35 for a mile and a quarter. The latest update is that he comfortably beat this rate at Le Mans on Thursday, October 23rd.
Le TROT website shows every step of the qualifier at a sparsely-attended track. The ‘race’ could not have gone better. Harry Knows was drawn in against two green three-year-olds in a volte (a walk up, keep them turning) style start. Patrick basically ignored the two youngsters and, once he got Harry into his stride, he set his own fractions.
Harry Knows relished the large Le Mans track and trotted ears pricked in 1.16km rate (2.02 for the mile, 2.32.5 effectively for the mile and a quarter). So far, so good. The next stage in the complicated process is to apply and get balloted into a race proper.
“We have applied for a couple of races. We are hoping things fall that we get into a softer race, but parts of it are out of our control,” said stable spokesman Mark Kane, who is currently minding Harry in central France.