SUCCESS by older horses has been a feature of the 2019 harness racing season so far.

At Portmarnock on Sunday, June 2nd the fruitful run by old stagers continued. Umbratica, who incredibly had 100 runs in her native France took the C to E trot for usual partner John Richardson.

“He must be one of the few horses in the world to equal his lifetime best at 13,” said ebullient owner of Springhill Biscuit, Joe Sheridan during the week.

The Garristown-based trainer reckons the gelding has won over 35 races.

Unlike Umbratica, ‘Biccie’ has never strayed far from his place of foaling. Ironically Springhill Biscuit’s only spell away from Marion Sheridan’s kitchen window was a brief stay at John Richardson’s in 2010. The race went 1.59.8 on Sunday, with Joe clocking the pensioner in 1.58.0 pillar-to-post.

John Richardson told The Irish Field that the sweet-looking Umbratica has won 15 races in Ireland. When she stays trotting she is top class, and the perennial champion has formed a special bond with the mare. Umbratica will no doubt have a date with a well-bred Trotteur Français stallion at some stage.

The runner-up to the mare, Bolchoi Du Liton, continues to progress for new trainer Billy Roche. A trip to Tir Prince, North Wales could well prove profitable for the rangy son of Cygnus De Odyssee as the wide bends will suit his frame and stride.

JR enjoyed a double on the day in the first two-year-old pace of the year aboard the Maughan’s filly All Bets Are Off. All three owners came away pleased.

All Bets Are Off battled well to win. Lord Sugar (P Kane jnr) led throughout and was only touched off. The coloured horse Take Me To The Beach with Billy Roche got forced wide at a crucial point. Second and third placed drivers will tell the owners ‘I could have won that’ – and so the VDM cauldron keeps bubbling.

The rest of the card was very much calm before the storm as the Red John Memorial at Lyre (June 15th/16th) is the aim of many runners and also horses that are being ‘rested’.

Angelsey Fall Guy and Patrick Kane junior were fancied for last year’s Delaney Colts’ Division until a setback intervened. There was no sign of a problem here as he won the G class pace by the length of the straight in a scorching 1.58.4

Emma Kane got off the mark for the season aboard the mare Etoile Quick in the four-year-old trot.

Meadowbranch number two pilot Noel Ryan was allowed a soft lead in the E to F trot, winning with Éclair De Limon. The Randalstown pair of Dan McAteer and Cyclone Decouriere tried gamely but the Brendan Morgan’s gelding won cosily enough in the end.

Ray Sheridan took the E to F pace with Rhyds Rambler in 2.04.6 – a slow time even for this grade of animal. Marcus McAleer, who suffered such a nasty spill here three weeks ago was back to rude health on runner-up Newtown Major.

Billy Roche and the liver chesnut Coreo Fligny gave Cilando Des Temps and Jonny Cowden a six-length beating in the Grade A trot. The win was a swing of €580 in terms of prize money.

Results from Portmarnock and Dunmanway as well as Red John meeting information can be viewed as usual on www.irishharnessracing.com

IHRA delegates

MARK Flanagan and James O’Sullivan were official delegates at the conference, while Nadina was an observer.

“Ireland sits on the breeding, wagering and marketing committees,” reported IHRA chairman Mark Flanagan.

“Although the sport in Ireland is less developed than in many of the other member countries, it is only by getting involved in world administration that we can catch up.”

Reclamation rules in US

WORD came through from the US on Monday night that Donovan and Murphy’s celebrated export Reclamation made it six wins in a row at Mohegan Downs, scoring in a time of 1.51.2.

Ready for Red John Weekend

Bill Donovan’s other pet project, if you have never been harness racing before, the Red John Weekend at Lyre, Clonakilty will show the sport at its purest and best.

Ger Heggarty’s well maintained track is roughly halfway between Dunmanway and Clonakilty and racing will start at 1pm both days. Check website for start time confirmation.

Thanks largely to the generosity of Bill Donovan of Florida and the organisational skills from the like of Tim Kelleher and Finnbar Quill, the purses for the weekend will total €100,000.

The Quality Hotel Clonakilty will be the hub of the socialising. Revellers are warned to be careful as when the refreshments kick in, you will be told of eight different ‘good things’ in a seven horse race.

Starships lands George Deane final

BRYWINS Starship – owned locally by Micheal Healy was a popular winner of the George Deane Memorial Final, the first of the big Summer Handicaps, which took place at Dunmanway last Sunday.

Three eliminations were held with two to qualify from each. In the opening heat, Western Dreamer and Armoured Bear went to battle early and remained in front into the final quarter. At that point, Hurry Up Abi hit the front and led home Western Dreamer by two lengths.

In the second heat, Brywins Starship drew pole position and was never headed leading home Hail Spartacus by a length.

In the last heat, punters “waded into” Meadowbranch Demon and despite carrying a 30-yard handicap the veteran ran his rivals ragged and ran out a two-length winner from Sunnyside Kidare.

In the final, the “smart money” came for Brywins Starship. Hurry Up Abi led early from Sunnyside Kildare. With two furlongs to pace Brywins Starship was set alight. At the same time Meadowbranch Demon off a 50-yard trail made his move but hit traffic on the final corner and Brywins Starship was not to be denied on his home track staying on to beat Hurry Up Abi by a length.

“My late father and George Deane were great friends and it’s a great honour to win here today. He take a bit of a hit in the handicap but its full steam ahead to The Red John Memorial in two weeks,” winning owner Mike Healy said in the press briefing. The winner was driven by his nephew Richard Kingston.

Waxies Dargle who disappointed on his previous two starts made amends in the Grade G /G1 Pace.

This son of Connors Dragon led from the start and won by three lengths and landed some nice bets for connections and gave Ryan Manning his first winner under rules.

There was only one trot on the card and it was the ultra-consistent Tarnao Josselyn who sat behind Un Boss for most of the mile and his five-length winning margin could have been much more.