SHANE Kelly looks properly pleased as he made the most of another prized mount in the absence of Ben Coen, riding Earlswood to land the Group 3 Fitzdares Royal Whip Stakes for owner Glyn Davies and trainer Johnny Murtagh at the Curragh last week.

According to the Curragh, last year 2020 marked the 200th running of the Royal Whip which is believed to be Ireland’s oldest continuously run horse race. The race was established in 1821 and was named after its accompanying prize, a gold-handled whip which was presented by King George IV. This original prize was replaced by another whip which was presented by King William IV in 1830.

The race’s original prize fund of 100 guineas remained unchanged until 1954 although its distance and conditions changed several times over the 100 years that followed its first running. Since 1995 the race has been run over its current distance of a mile and a quarter and it has been run as a Group 3 since 2013 following a period at Group 2 level.

One of the joint longest priced winners in the race’s history is Alleged who struck at 33/1 in 1977 before going on to become one of the great champions of the last 100 years. The other 33/1 winner of the race was the Jim Bolger-trained My Hollow in 1980.

Just wondering if the current whip’s handle is actually gold. Better not drop that one, Shane.

JUST when we are enjoying the outstanding achievements of a female sports star in the shape of Rachael Blackmore, another one comes along – our fabulous gold medallist boxer Kellie Harrington.

The battle between Kellie and Rachael continues this week with the former cut further to claim the RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year title. The boxer was trimmed into 6/4 last week but has now been clipped again into 5/4 to land the accolade.

Rachael Blackmore is easing by the day with her odds drifting to 4/7 from 1/2 according to BoyleSports.

Currently coming in third are the loveable lads from Skibbereen, Ireland’s other gold medallists in Tokyo, rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, also in the running for the RTÉ title.

THE Hurling For Cancer Research online auction is now closed but hopefully received plenty of support for Jim Bolger and Davy Russell’s outstanding charity.

The Mondello Park Driving Thrill Experience voucher was snapped up by speed junkie Billy Lee. Gary Halpin bid for a signed 2021 Dublin football jersey – what’s that worth now?

And Leo Powell bid for a Supervalu hamper – organic only we hope, Leo!