CATHERINE Murray joins Naas Racecourse as their new sales and marketing manager. She arrives at Naas having spent three years as the on-course marketing executive with Tote Ireland.
Manager Tom Ryan commented: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine to the team, her arrival comes at a very exciting time for Naas. We staged our first Grade 1 National Hunt race in January and our flat programme also continues to improve year on year. Our next phase of improvement works will be specifically customer focused and we look forward to offering our loyal customers a superior level of service. Catherine’s unique skill set will allow Naas to make advancements in a number of areas.”
THE weather decided to cheer up at 6.30pm last Saturday evening for the 26th running of the Punchestown charity race, run in aid of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund. Twenty-five amateur jockeys enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime by race riding for a day and participating at the Punchestown Festival.
Local trainer Alan Fleming from the Curragh saw his jockey Paul O’Leary time his run to perfection with Bishopslough to get the better of Rory Slevin aboard Mr Boss Man in a really exciting finish.
EXPERIENCE
Winning jockey Paul said: “It was the experience of a lifetime and I am grateful to winning owner Barry Connell for permitting me to ride Bishopslough.”
The sporting riders had raised €1,000 each for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund to participate in the race.
CHUFFED
Kilcullen butcher, James Nolan, the organiser of the charity race for the past 26 years, was understandably chuffed with the day and appreciative of the riders, owners, trainers, sponsors and all their supporters.
James was also deeply grateful to Punchestown Racecourse for the way they look after the Punchestown charity race year after year. Punchestown had invited over 150 heart, lung, liver, kidney, bone marrow and dialysis patients to the race on the Saturday
Who’s your Daddy?
WE’RE not taking sides in the upcoming marriage referendum but this poster, spotted in Sligo this week, has us puzzled. Shergar’s parents weren’t married and the mother was left to rear him herself.
Lynch wedding
Congratulations to jockey Andrew Lynch on his marriage to Riona Taggart yesterday. Riona is travelling head girl and box driver for Noel Meade but there’s no honeymoon yet as Andrew is riding at Killarney on Sunday.
Cavan man on fire
CONGRATULATIONS to 22-year-old conditional jockey Garry Lavery from Cootehill in Cavan who had a day to remember last Saturday. Riding for his boss Brian Ellison, Garry pulled off the unusual feat of riding a flat and jumps winner on the same day. Garry, on his first mount on the flat for five years, won at Thirsk causing an upset when Apterix pulled off a 12/1 win over Godolphin’s even money favourite Legend’s Gate in the maiden race.
No time to celebrate as the Cavan man leapt into his car and headed to Hexham’s evening meeting to ride in the concluding handicap hurdle at 8.30pm. Vodka Wells, also trained by Ellison, prevailed at 3/1. “What a day,” said Lavery, who has reduced his weight to 9st in order to mix flat with jumping. “It’s a day I’m not going to forget in a hurry.”
Irish Jockeys’ Trust
TO mark its 40th anniversary (1977-2015), the Irish Jockeys’ Trust is holding the first of two lunches for retired professional jockeys at the Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, June 28th (Irish Derby Festival weekend). Any retired or injured jockey who would like to attend should contact the office by Tuesday or Wednesday on 045 521848 or by email to info@ijt.ie.
The numbers are restricted to 35 so book early. The lunch is being supported by the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.