AN exciting new series for racing fans starts up this Thursday February 18th, presented by TG4 and Touchline Media.
Laochra Na Rásaíochta features some of Ireland’s greatest National Hunt horses and the first episode kicks off on Thursday at 9.30pm with a one-hour documentary on the greatest chaser of all, Arkle, winner of three Cheltenham Gold Cups in the 1960s. This is a repeat of the IFTA winner for Best Sports Documentary, first broadcast on TG4 in March 2014.
Episode two on February 25th at 9.30pm tells the stories of L’Escargot, winner of the 1970 and 1971 Gold Cups at Cheltenham and the 1975 Grand National; Captain Christy winner of the 1974 Gold Cup; Brown Lad, the only horse ever to win three Irish Grand Nationals; Monksfield, who won back-to-back Champion Hurdles in 1978 and 1979; and Istabraq, the horse regarded by many as Ireland’s greatest ever hurdler, who won three Champion Hurdles in a row.
It features contributions from Aidan O’Brien, J.P. McManus, Charlie Swan, Arthur Moore, Ted Walsh, Tom Taaffe, Jim Dreaper, Des McDonogh, Jonjo O’Neill, Sandra Hughes, Paul Carberry and Nina Carberry.
Episode three goes out on March 4th at 9.30pm and tells the stories of four horses much loved by Irish racing fans: Limestone Lad, bred, trained and owned by the Bowe family in Gathabawn, Co Kilkenny; Danoli, who was regarded as ‘the people’s champion’, was trained by Tom Foley near Bagnelstown in Co Carlow; and Dorans Pride and Beef Or Salmon, two horses who catapulted Limerick trainer Michael Hourigan into the racing limelight also feature.
The programme has contributions from Michael and John Bowe, Tom Foley, Tommy and Jim Treacy, Michael Hourigan, Kay Hourigan, Charlie Swan, Aidan O’Brien and Ted Walsh.
Episode four, on March 11th at 9.30pm, tells the stories of Florida Pearl, the horse who put trainer Willie Mullins on the map and won a record four Irish Hennessy Gold Cups, and Hardy Eustace, who won back-to-back Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham in 2004 and 2005, during a golden era for Irish hurdlers.
Another star to be enjoyed in this episode is Moscow Flyer, trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Barry Geraghty, who won numerous Grade 1 races, including two Queen Mother Champion Chases at the Cheltenham Festival. It features contributions from Willie Mullins, Jessica Harrington, Barry Geraghty, Conor O’Dwyer, Davy Russell, David Casey, Sandra Hughes and Eamonn Leigh.
The final episode (episode five) is a special Dawn Run documentary featuring contributions from all the major characters in this incredible tale of promise, achievement, disappointment, glory and ultimately tragedy. This airs on March 18th at 9.30pm.
Contributors include the late Paddy Mullins, his wife Maureen, their sons Tony, Tom and Willie Mullins. Owner, the late Charmian Hill, and her son Jeremy Hill also feature, and Dawn Run’s jockey Jonjo O’Neill gives his unique perspective on one of racing’s most extraordinary tales.
The documentary also shows the never-to-be-forgotten 1986 match between Dawn Run and Buck House at Punchestown, with trainer Mouse Morris and jockey Tommy Carmody providing us with their memories of that special day.
The Laochra na Rásaíochta series was directed by Stephen Cullinane, produced by Denis Kirwan and Dave Keena, and director of photography was Peter Moffett.
Denis Kirwan, producer, Touchline Media commented: “Apart from the incredible achievements of Arkle in the ‘60s and the huge amount of Irish success in recent decades, there were also many lean years, occasionally brightened by some heroic horses on the biggest stages. Laochra na Rásaíochta brings many of these great stories to life.
“Similar to the hugely popular TG4 Laochra Gael series, we hope it will be enjoyed by sports fans both young and old.”
Irish Grand National show repeat
ANOTHER show to watch out for on TG4 is a repeat of The Irish Grand National ~ Chasing a Dream tomorrow Sunday, February 14th at 5.25pm after Punchestown races.