THE Alihies Races on the Beara Peninsula in west Cork have been run for over 150 years and they took place last Thursday on their traditional August 15th date. One of the most welcome aspects of this season has been the number of girl riders who have started on the road that they hope might lead to a career as a jockey, something that Rachael Blackmore’s success has no doubt influenced.

First win

Fifteen-year-old Asdee, Co. Kerry rider Sarah McNamara got her first winner in the 13.2hh race where she partnered Hello Thunder for Listowel owner Pat O’Sullivan to an all-the-way success from stablemate Sore Loser.

Racing opened with the 12.2hh race and Tail To Tail made it a third win for the season as the 23-year-old veteran made all the running in the hands of his 10-year-old jockey, Dylan O’Connor for the Three County Syndicate.

The thirst for winners brought Dylan Browne-McMonagle and Sam Ewing all the way from their Donegal and Antrim bases and Dylan took the leading rider award with a treble.

Top Of The Charts took the 14.2hh race for the Ray Sugrue-headed Farmers Bridge Syndicate and Dylan quickly doubled up as Farmer Boyce made it a double for the Three Country Syndicate in the 15hh race. Dylan completed his treble in the maiden race as That’s Our Grouse broke a sequence of six runner-up finishes for Michael O’Connor. Sam Ewing didn’t face into his long journey home empty handed as he took the 12-furlong race on Roll of Thunder for David Cahill.

Daniel King took the other two races on the card, with Another Legend staying on strongly to lead inside the final 100 yards to take the day’s feature, the Alihies Derby for Kieran Murphy. The same combination also took the 10-furlong race with Osaka.

Results

12.2HH Race (6F): 1, Three County Syndicate’s TAIL TO TAIL (Dylan O’Connor); 2, M. O’Sullivan’s BISCUIT (Darragh O’Sullivan); 3, P. Collins SOUTH OF THE BORDER (Sam Ewing).

13.2HH Race (9F): 1, P. A. O’Sullivan’s HELLO THUNDER (Sarah McNamara); 2, J. O’Sullivan’s SORE LOOSER (Daniel King); 3, F. Brickley’s RINGO (Finn Brickley).

14.2HH Race (12F): 1, Farmers Bridge Syndicate’s TOP OF THE CHARTS (Dylan Browne McMonagle); 2, Tyner Syndicate’s CRYSTAL LADY (Sean Bowen); 3, D.F. Racing’s IT’S FATHER TED (Julie McDonald).

15HH Race 12F): 1, Three County Syndicate’s FARMER BOYCE (Dylan Browne McMonagle); 2, A. Hamilton’s ON THE EDGE (Daniel King); 3, Tyner Syndicate’s BOUNCE (Sean Bowen).

Open Horse Race (10F): 1, K. Murphy’s OSAKA (Daniel King); 2, Morning Syndicate’s TOP OF THE MORNING (Brian Barry).

Allihies Derby (2M): 1, K. Murphy’s ANOTHER LEGEND (Daniel King); 2, P. Enright’s HILL BILLY GIRL (Sam Ewing); 3, Farmers Bridge Syndicate’s DIFFICULT DECISION (Ava Sugrue).

Open Horse Race (12F): 1, D. Cahill’s ROLL OF THUNDER (Sam Ewing); 2, J. McGrath’s SHE’S GOT IT (Daniel King); 3, B. Daly’s THUNDER STORM (Dylan Browne McMonagle).

Maiden Horse Race (12F): 1, M. O’Connor’s THAT’S OUR GROUSE (Dylan Browne McMonagle); 2, Tyner/McGrath’s THE POCHAHONTAS LADY (Daniel King).