IN these dark days of Covid, lockdown and new spikes of the virus, it is nice to report a positive development for Irish harness racing.

Leading Irish breeder Derek Delaney of Oakwood Stud in Offaly was in touch recently to inform The Irish Field of a new sale of Standardbreds and Trotteur Français to be held at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on October 9th. Derek is acting in an advisory capacity for the sale.

“We have always sold our draft of yearlings at Brightwells Sale at Builth Wells, Wales. However, the equestrian arm of Brightwells has closed that particular sale and we see an opportunity to run a sale in Ireland,” explained the breeder.

The Oakwood yearlings are regularly amongst the top-priced lots at the Welsh sale. Delaney will have a smaller number of yearlings for sale this year but the success of Oakwood Starcam, Oakwood Initowinit (a multiple winner in USA) and Newtown Jody, by the Delaney’s Foreclosure will ensure interest from buyers.

“People can bid remotely, there will be a live feed,” continued Derek. “We helped buy six aged racehorses from Britain and Ireland last year for the Ron Burke stable in Pennsylvania last year. I’m delighted to say every one has won a race while some of them have run up sequences of wins. It augurs well for the market in top class stock.”

Speaking for Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Declan Fagan stated: “We work closely with Horse Sport Ireland and are aware of the great progress the IHRA have made with HSI. Between social media, your own paper and a rightly proud Derek Delaney, we have noticed that Ireland seems to be breeding pacers capable of winning in America.”

“We are also aware of the huge strides that have been made in association with LeTROT and we’d be hoping to have both young stock, racehorses and breeding stock of that breed as well. We are impressed with the professionalism we see in Irish harness racing and are committed to growing this sale during Covid and at “the other side”.

Sale is on October 9th and entries close Friday, September 4th. Enquiries to Mullingar Equestrian Centre on 00353 (0)44 9348331.