IN theory they are both racing colonies, but in practice there is a huge difference between tranquil West Cork and The Meadowlands Complex, which is in New Jersey but is dominated by the dramatic New York skyline.

Jamie Hurley from Reenascreena, near Lyre and his girlfriend Hannah Richardson, a proud Dub and daughter of well-known driver John, have worked with Robbie Cleary at various locations in the USA during our closed season of 2024 and 2025.

Jamie is typical of the new breed of harness racing trainers emerging in Ireland. The younger men are more selective in their targets with their horses. They can access the latest equipment and technology just days behind the USA, as opposed to months which used to be the case.

The young Turks look at the breed and the shape of a race in a different way to the old Irish drivers, who learned their trade delivering coal with a horse or perhaps driving a jaunting car.

With the likes of Hurley, Eoin Murphy, Troy McAleer, and the Northerners Jonny Cowden and Adam Corey, the sport in Ireland has essential young blood.

Now back home and aiming for the early May restart, Jamie (29) is training “around 12, with a lot of unqualified horses or types that were left off to mature”. He trained 19 winners in 2025 - his best tally so far.

Interesting comparisons

Jamie is articulate and generous with his time and offers some interesting comparisons of the Irish and American scene.

Ballydehob-born Robert Cleary is known to be media-shy, preferring to let the horses do the talking. Robbie (42) has risen through the ranks to be a well-respected trainer on the tough US scene. Ask any young GAA star who ‘worked’ as a kicker in the NFL - in the land of the stars and stripes, you have to keep producing.

With $5,777,352 of prize money earned and 462 winners since he emigrated in 2011, Robbie has done Ireland proud and has become an important conduit in spotting Irish and UK pacers, which will make it Stateside, and acclimatising such animals. Robbie’s father is Padjoe ‘Easter Surprise’ Cleary, a long-time fixture on the Cork scene.

The original ‘H Richardson‘ - Hannah’s grandfather Hughie - tried with imported stallions and at first some plainly-bred mares to improve Irish pacers. He would be proud to see the (IR) suffix on programmes in the home of harness racing.

Churchview Meow, formerly with Billy Roche, is the latest Irish-bred to get on the scoreboard in America for Robert Cleary.

Dan Carlin (DC): How do you know Robbie?

Jamie Hurley (JH): I did not know him in his Irish career. I only got to know him when John (Richardson) spoke for me, I went out in October 2024 and again last winter. He couldn’t have done more for Hannah and I. He arranged a house and a truck to get us about.

DC: What’s a typical day over there?

JH: It’s tough. The early man starts about 3am and he feeds and mucks out. The main team are in at 6am and we’d be on the track until around noon. Things slow down in the afternoon, but if you are racing, you might be in the last race at 11pm - by the time your horse gets dope tested, you might not get home until 2am. I don’t need a lot of sleep, which is just as well. I helped with the yearlings in the afternoons.

DC: Robbie has been a huge success - what do you put it down to?

JH: His attention to detail. He is borderline OCD. He rarely gets problems because he prevents a lot of problems with good management. He is very fussy about keeping horses’ feet right. He turns horses out a lot and I learned a lot about how to keep horses relaxed. He is meticulous and it sets him apart.

DC: Name the stable stars?

JH: (laughs) - Robbie and I disagree on this. He thinks Oakwood Ardan is the boss, I prefer Oakwood Hey Miki. They are both top class and it’s nice to think of both being reared in Offaly. They are both owned by Royal Wire Equine.

DC: What were the best moments this trip?

JH: The Cleary barn won a geldings’ open with Oakwood Hey Miki and a mares open with Louisville, reared by the Gilvears in Scotland. These horses are racing against the cream.

DC: Did you meet any of the ‘big-name’ drivers?

JH: I’m happy to report that they are all down to earth. Brett Beckwith is up and coming, Bradley Chisholm is also a nice guy. The Australian Andrew McCarthy noticed that I race in blue and green like him. He gave me seven, yes seven, driving suits and a painted helmet, I’ll not forget his generosity.

DC: What was different on this trip?

JH: There was more racing in 2024. In 2025, Hannah and I supervised six horses transporting to Kentucky, a 13-hour trip. We recruited some staff there and minded a barn.

DC: What is the overall state of the US sport?

JH: The latest trend seems to be racing in Ohio - that’s where the good money is and the best horses are heading.

DC: It would be great if Robbie could break onto the stakes scene?

JH: I think he will get there. He has bought some lovely yearlings, all Ohio-breds. Living Good Hanover is a smashing colt and could be the one.

DC: Did you pick up many tips to use at home?

JH: You’d be blind if you didn’t learn stuff. Unfortunately, a lot of the technical stuff is too expensive to use in Ireland with our purse structure, so you have to pick and choose. Over here, we think the VDM money is massive, but they are going for that dough every day of the week.

DC: Would you be tempted to try a career out there yourself?

JH: It’s hard to answer. I like America and the harness racing is massive, but I have a lot going for me at home. For now, I am happy to go over and help Robbie in our off season.