DROMORE trainer Caroline McCaldin, rider Orán McGill and owner Wilson Dennison had a good weekend on the point-to-point scene, with a win for the trio at Farmacaffley on Saturday and at Borris House on Sunday.

The local success came in the concluding Philip White Tyres-sponsored six-year-old geldings’ maiden at the Tynan and Armagh meeting where Mackieshill, who was having his ninth start, won by a distance from the same owner’s Sam Curling-trained French-bred Vicomte le Brave, the only other finisher from five starters.

The winning Flemensfirth gelding was bred by the owner’s daughter, and trainer’s sister, Katrina Mackie out of the Yeats mare Moll Magee, who is dam also of the two dual track-winning Califet geldings, Ballymackie and Ballylinch.

The McCaldin/McGill/Dennison double came up in the nine-runner division two of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Borris House, where Lamikal d’Airy beat the only other finisher, the even-money favourite Bedtime Bob, by eight lengths.

Quinn’s wins

Back to Farmacaffley, where Gerald Quinn saddled two winners who were both ridden by Noel McParlan. The first, Lauvergnat, won the five-year-old geldings’ maiden on his second start in the colours of Philip McBurney, while the Mervyn Adams-owned Clough Clouds landed the following winners of two.

Riding Gold Cup Baily for Stuart Crawford, McParlan had to settle for second in the five-runner open where, re-united with Barry O’Neill, the amazing Winged Leader won for the 36th time between the flags, much to the delight of his very proud trainer, David Christie, and owners, John Hegarty and Jenny O’Kane.

Deckie Lavery, who rode two winners last month for Christie, including Winged Leader, was also on the mark on Saturday but down in Lisronagh where he landed the opening Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale Four-Year-Old Mares Maiden on the French-bred newcomer Milady du Plessis. The Jeu St Eloi chesnut is trained by Mark O’Hare for his wife Sara.

Am sure some of the above horses will be heading over to that Festival Sale in Cheltenham next Thursday but, at time of writing, there were no entries up online.

While it was good news that the vast majority of winners between the flags in Britain last weekend carried an IRE suffix, none of them were bred locally.

LET’s go with ladies first this week and acknowledge Anna McGuinness’s win on board Fenway Park at Clonmel last Thursday week, Natalia Lupini’s success as trainer of Sutton Hoo the following evening at Dundalk, where Gaucher won for owners Rose Boyd and Marie Armstrong.

Stuart Crawford maintained his good run by sending out Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s Al Kalila to win at Kelso on Saturday and the same owners’ O’Toole on Monday at Leopardstown where, the following afternoon, Sam Ewing rode his first winner since his return from injury.

Across the water, Danny McMenamin rode one winner at Kelso on Saturday and recorded a double on Tuesday at Newcastle, where Brian Hughes was also on the mark as he was at Catterick on Wednesday.

Breeding

On the breeding front, there were wins for the Aaron Metcalfe-bred five-year-old gelding Rices Pool (Milan - Bay Pearl, by Broadway Flyer) on his first track start in the bumper at Taunton last Thursday week and for the Jeremy Maxwell-bred seven-year-old gelding Umpire’s Call (Jukebox Jury - Dawson’s Corner, by Tikkanen) at Naas on Wednesday on what was just his fifth career start.

Funds were generated throughout the evening through the generosity and support of those in attendance. Guests contributed to assist the charity in its ongoing work supporting cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland.

Friends of the Cancer Centre provides essential practical, emotional and financial support to individuals and families affected by the disease. The £9,000 raised will contribute directly towards sustaining those vital services and ensuring continuous assistance for those who need it the most.

Downpatrick racecourse extends its sincere thanks to all those who attended the function and to everyone who contributed so generously on the night.

Ruth Morrison, General Manager said: “We are absolutely delighted to present this donation to Friends of the Cancer Centre, raised at the retirement celebration for our former Racecourse Manager. The generosity shown by everyone involved was a true reflection of the high regard in which Richard is held, and of the deep connection many feel to the chosen charity.

“I would like to sincerely thank all those who donated auction items and raffle prizes, as well as everyone who supported the fundraising so enthusiastically. It was a wonderful way to mark a significant milestone, while also supporting a charity that means so much to so many across our community.”

Downpatrick looks forward to welcoming racegoers back for the first race of the 2026 season, the highly-anticipated Randox Ulster Grand National on Sunday, March 29th. Tickets are currently available online and early booking is advised for what promises to be a highlight on the local racing calendar.

I DON’T imagine that I’m the only one that Cheltenham snuck up on, but here we are with the Festival on next week and funds low in my Tote account.

Because of this lack of foresight, I never got around to plugging Bryan Gault’s Gaultstats – Cheltenham 2026, but am doing so here and you can read more about them, and how to donate to this year’s chosen charity, the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund, in page 18 and 19 of our Cheltenham pull-out.

IT was very disappointing to learn that the Iveagh point-to-point, scheduled for Saturday next, March 14th at Loughbrickland, has been abandoned due to ground conditions.

Hopefully, the weather will dry up so racing can go ahead at Kirkistown the following Saturday and at Portrush seven days later, before March turns into April.

ALTHOUGH we were never quite sure if he was slagging us or not, my sister Ann and I were saddened to learn of the recent death of Dinny Lennon, who was one of the great characters of the game. We would like to extend our condolences to his extensive family.