OMEY Beach Races in Claddaghduff, Connemara took place last Sunday in front of its customary large crowd, and 15-year-old Bellewstown, Co. Meath rider Robert Whearty recorded his first winner after a number of recent runner-up finishes, including two the previous week in Ballyconneely.

Robert who rides out for his local trainer David Dunne, took the 15hh race on Shotgun for Des Donnelly as he made most of the running to win from the Sam Ewing-ridden Peaky Blinders.

Ewing took the day’s riding honours with a four-timer, which included the day’s feature race over a mile which he won on Keeper Hill for P.J. Donnelly, brother of Des.

Keeper Hill and the Jake Coen-ridden All Souls had this between them from two furlongs out with the winner hitting the front inside the final furlong.

Sam got his first winner of the day in the 14.2hh race where Seamus Bergin’s Waratah left her rivals trailing from four furlongs out as she galloped clear to win from Nice + Steady. The rider teamed up with Monasterevin-based Buddy Harrison to win the 12-furlong race. He sat off a scorching early pace before coming through to hit the front two furlongs out for a snug win.

Four-timer

The four-timer was completed in the finale as Sam led from flag fall on Back In Town and they always looked to be have too much in hand as the Finnerty Syndicate’s charge repelled the challenge of local hope Uppsala.

Dylan Browne-McMonagle took the remaining three races on the card starting with Unhinged who showed no mercy for her rivals as she galloped clear from the early stages.

Dylan’s second winner was less clear-cut and came in the stewards’ room as the finishing positions of Let Him Go and Ciderman were reversed in the two-mile race.

Dylan brought Let Him Go through to lead from the front-running Out Of The Clouds two furlongs out but Ed Vaughan delivered Ciderman with a run down the outside inside the final 100 yards for what appeared to be his first win in horse class.

However, Ciderman edged a little left inside after hitting the front as they came off the final bend, which is only about 50 metres from the finish, and while Dylan Browne-McMonagle did stop riding, the distance at the finish was 2.5 lengths making the decision to reverse the placings looked harsh on the young Welsh rider.

Dylan went on to complete his treble in 10-furlong race where he brought Shane Crabbe’s Bipolar Blondie through to lead two furlongs out and then hold off the late challenge of Stormforce.

Dingle: The meeting continue today and tomorrow with 2.30 pm starts both days. The highlight is of course the Dingle Derby which is due off at 4.45pm tomorrow, Sunday.

Southern: The traditional August 15th southern region meeting in Allihies, West Cork takes place on Thursday next with a 1pm start. Glenbeigh Racing Festival takes place on Rossbeigh Strand on Saturday and Sunday August 24th/25th with 3.30pm starts both days.

Midlands: Geesala Races on Doolough Strand in Co. Mayo will be the next midlands region meeting on Sunday August 18th