Stable tours
NEVILLE Martin has one of the longest drives to the meetings of the harness racing circuit. He is based in Ederney, Co Fermanagh, in effect closer to Donegal.
He was first introduced to pony driving by Patsy Doherty from Irvinestown. Despite the unconventional location and beginnings, the 53-year-old has emerged as a top trainer whose horses are always prepared with a ruthless professionalism.
“The highlight of last season was Sweet Dreams winning the double, the three-year-old fillies’ stakes at both the Vincent Delaney Memorial and The Breeders’ Crown (both races are in the UK).
“I’ve been lucky enough to hook up with Jonny Cowden as my driver. He was helpful with workouts and it just grew from there.”
Neville’s first horse was Starboard Express ‘done when I got him’, and he soon moved on to Newtown Silverwings. “I had gathered up 26 horses one winter. John Richardson told me that the old Irish and UK breeding has had its day, so I did a clear out and went shopping in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.”
With JR’s help, the Fermanagh man picked Bet Your Miffed, Angelas Kosmos and All American Amazon. All three were decent, with Bet Your Miffed the best, both as a race mare and a dam. She has produced One Cool Touch and Sweet Dreams.
“John Richardson and Brenda Hudson drove plenty of winners for me. Both have great horsemanship.
“I have a sand and rubber mixed 600-yard track at home. I used to work them on Murvagh beach, but I find that I’m getting results at home. The beach is all very well, but you can sicken a horse if you overdo it.”
“My brother Edward helps with the fast work. Mick Patterson is a loyal supporter at the racing.”
Neville has four in work. He owns Sweet Dreams and the other three are for David Curtin “a great owner, very enthusiastic”.
SWEET DREAMS (Ire)
4yo f Sweet Lou – Bet Your Miffed
She’s proved her worth by winning those good races already.
She’s entered for all the big UK races and the Irish series.
She has strengthened well over the winter. We’ve been up to Annaghmore a few times.
JUST A MOMENT (USA)
4yo s Control The Moment – Art Instructor
He went 1.59 with the Timlins last year. I really like him and he is off a chancy handicap. He is still a stallion. I’m hoping to take runners to Musselburgh in June.
SWEET PAL (Ire)
2yo g Sweet Lou – Art Instructor
Sweet Lou is siring winners on three continents. The AI has improved local pacers beyond recognition. He seems straightforward.
BLAZING MIKI (Ire)
2yo c Always B Miki – Mooreside Ak
Again, no strange equipment, nice to be around in the stable.
He shows promise.
At the moment I would pick Sweet Pal over him, but the other fella has eight weeks more work done, so that could change. He is still an entire.
O’Reilly ready for southern action
IF Ederney is the Outer Mongolia of trotting, then Drimoleague, West Cork is ‘the Curragh’.
The village is home to several families who enrich the harness racing scene in the south.
The tracks at Lyre, Manch and Dunmanway are all within 30 minutes and there are beautiful beaches for training.
Chris O’Reilly (43) is one of a number of O’Reilly cousins who participate. He is the only member of the clan to win a race in France (Argentan, Normandy December 2021).
Chris had a bumper year in 2023 recalling, “Biggins won six and Panache won six” but 2024 was “disappointing to be honest”.
“Biggins was all wrong last year. I believe when he was stable kept, he got too wound up. The highlight of 2024 was not winning some major race but actually my great old servant Rhyds Panache retiring sound and healthy.
“I was delighted to get him a good home with the Kellehers at Macroom. Young Lydia has him spoiled rotten.”
Chris juggles a kitchen fitting business with his standardbreds.
“I am lucky that my son Fionn (20) has an interest.
“He will drive in some races but then he is going back to work with John McDermott at Goshen, New York.
“The area was literally the birthplace of harness racing and they have a beautiful museum at the track.”
BIGGINS (GB)
6yo g Yankee Lariat – Whispur
The dam actually raced at Portmarnock on one occasion. We’re now stabling him outside; it is common practice in France.
He will start off at the beach racing on May 11th – he’s well down the handicap if I can get him back on song.
STILL GAME (Ire)
4yo m For A Few Dollars More – Pardon My Dust
She is out of my own mare. The sire is a bit underrated in my opinion, he had the record, conformation, pedigree. We were busy with work so she was left over at two and three. Hopefully we’ll knock some fun out of her, she’s working nicely.