Looking forward with a new crop of three-year-olds across the country

THE three-year-olds of 2020 are spread across the four provinces of Ireland and are in some of the larger stables and also with some of the one-man bands. Here are some progress reports from the various trainers.

The French stipulate that all foals in a given year shall carry the same first letter alphabetically, 2015 foals begin with an ‘F’ 2016 with a ‘G’ and so on. The rule limits your options when naming your pride and joy but the Irish breeders of the ‘H’ generation have risen to the challenge well.

Alan Richardson has raced in America, Canada and France. He reports his two fillies Hibernia and Hallmark to be “where they need to be at this stage – but they are very strong-willed.”

Corkman Jamie Hurley will be hoping to repeat his successes of 2019. The Hurleys have Humble Beginnings by Armstrong Jet in partnership with The Boss from Cross, Patrick Carberry. The fact that Martin Loughran has been asked to drive this filly before she has even stepped on a track is a positive sign.

Sean Kane, as you might expect, has a real Bastille Day going on near Clonalvy. Sean and Calvin Broughan have Happy Fifty (“more strength than speed”), Homer Oakwood (“effortless professional”) and Highland Princess, part-owned by Jeremiah O’Mahony – this filly was named after the Goggin’s old campaigner Highland Prince.

Needle match

There might even be a needle match in the same barn as sister Mary Kane owns and trains Hot To Trot, who she bought against Sean’s advice. Sean admits that Hot To Trot is now “an angel” on the track, although still cranky in the stable.

The Murphys in Baltimore named their three-year-old after the most famous son of Ballinascarthy “Henry Ford”. Donal reports the Duggan/Hurley/Murphy owned gelding to be “talented but hard to keep level.”

Another powerful Cork yard is in the mix. The Kellehers of Masseytown, Macroom will have Hurricane Hannah for O’Farrell and Healy. Tim Kelleher reported that the filly needed time at two and “seems to be going in the right direction.” Mark Kane of Trim confirmed that Happy Princess and Harry Knows are jogging well and forward in their coats.

The all-conquering Meadowbranch yard are missing their trips up to Portmarnock for fast work. (The track is currently closed to all outside horses due to the Covid-19 lockdown). Long-standing trainer John Richardson has two French geldings and a filly in work. (He’s Meadowbranch, Hurricane Star and Harley Lee). JR remarked that the French-bred can take more work than the Standardbred. John thinks the TF are “very hardy”.

The long term goal is to breed animals good enough to race in France – where the prize money is lucrative.

Massive thanks are due to Calvin Broughan of Cabra who provided much of the background information about the breeding and ownership of the three-year-olds in question.