IT was a pleasure to cover the fifth renewal of Irish Champions Weekend and I have to say both days were a fantastic advertisement for Irish racing. Other then the Derby, these are the two days that showcase Irish Racing to a global audience.

There was a great buzz around the enclosures on both days with plenty of great stories going with the winners. Take Kevin “Spot” Prendergast, 86 years young, and hopefully he has found another star for himself after Madhmoon won easily under Chris “Magic Man” Hayes.

A Group 1 double for Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke brought the total of overseas winners for ICW to 27. Aidan O’Brien won the Leger with Flag Of Honour for his 17th ICW success. Killarney jockey Oisin Murphy is having a year to remember on the big stage through his association with Roaring Lion and they won a thrilling Champion Stakes making it only Oisin’s second home success after Limini provided him with his first earlier on the card.

At 23 years of age, Oisin is living the dream and fair play to him. The following morning he jetted off to Canada to ride in Woodbine.

CAPTURED HEARTS

But it was Skitter Scatter that captured everyone’s hearts when she won the Moyglare, giving trainer Patrick Prendergast and jockey Ronan Whelan their first Group 1 success.

It was great to see Patrick’s family on hand to witness the win with wife Grainne, daughters Katie and Aoibhe and son Patrick.

But I have to say I don’t think I have seen a jockey receiving or giving so many hugs as Ronan Whelan after the win. From Ronan’s parents to his weigh room colleagues and everyone in between, they all got a Ronan hug.

The whole track was genuinely delighted for the young fella. As I was running from the winning line to the pull-up area to shoot the celebrations I was overtaken by jockeys Colin Keane, Shane Foley and Conor Hoban who watched the race at the winning line and were so delighted for their friend they sprinted up to congratulate him. I have never seen that before!

CONQUERED

“Ronnie” as he is known, started out on the pony circuit riding for his dad Tom and neighbour Buddy Harrison and he would have conquered Dingle in his time. After graduating from the pony circuit he worked for the Fahey Clan in Monasterevin before heading off to the most famous jockey academy of all at Jim Bolger’s. Kinane and Smullen are his idols and at 25 hopefully this won’t be the last time we see a “Ronnie Hugging Show”.