WHEN writing on any sector in the equine industry it’s a positive sign when that sport threw up so many feel good moments and exciting events that it proves difficult in condensing them into the allotted space.

In 2019, we saw world-class performances on the track and major progress at organisational level in Irish harness racing. Despite huge efforts by the IHRA to entice horsemen to race early in the season, the local scene got off to a stuttering start. The April columns in this paper were buoyed by good news from America where Reclamation, still part owned by Donal Murphy (the main owner being Bill Donovan) and Robyn Camden, owned by Dubliner Jason O’Sullivan both ran up winning sequences. The latter mare continued her winning ways into ‘the fall’.

Another feature of 2019 was healthy progress in the career of Jack Killeen of Tallaght as a driver in the USA and Ballydehob-born Robbie Cleary who is building a big reputation as a public trainer in New Jersey. Robbie featured in an October report when he signed for the top-priced pacing yearling at the Harrisburg sales.

Back at home, both Billy Roche and John Richardson took headlines in the pre-Delaney meetings and the two great rivals traded blows all summer. Richardson was to take both the national and Portmarnock drivers’ titles – a late surge (a four-timer) at the deciding meeting secured The Irish Field silver salver and cheque driving the most Trotteur Français winners. He has no peers when it comes to freshening up battle-hardened geldings.

Nostalgia

May saw a feast of nostalgia as the followers celebrated 50 years at Portmarnock. Jack Wilson (86) who won the final at the opening meeting, is still alive and well and was guest of honour at a dinner at the track.

There was mention of the visionary Hughie Richardson who teamed up with thoroughbred breeder WJ Mc Enery to open a 400-yard track. The May 18th meeting was full of memories of man and beast: Paddy Kane, Paddy Manning, Walter Cunningham, Ulex, Eastwood Relko and Smoke Away.

The summer highlights came and went – racing at ‘heaven on earth’ (Inchydoney Strand), followed a few weeks later by the superbly organised Red John Memorial near Clonakilty. The renowned Vincent Delaney meeting was graced by a skilful American driver, one Jordan Stratton and saw a home victory in the fillies (Rainbow Writer) and a British-based winner in the colts (Mattuceuous).

In September, John Richardson and Jonny Cowden brought the house down at Tir Prince, North Wales. Jonny won a graded race with the Coreys’ Fairdays Western. JR took Britain’s biggest race for French Trotters with Maxie Collins’ Besame Mucho and followed up with their biggest race for pacers ‘The Crock of Gold’ on his own Gentleman Jim.

The Coleraine yard of Walter Stewart hit winning form in the autumn. Porterstown Courage won the Red Mills All-Ireland Final and Ladyford Dollar picked up major races for three-year-olds in Ireland and the UK.

Sean Kane, second on four occasions in France shook off his jinx on November 16th when he drove the unfancied Delsa Derangere to win during the France vs. Ireland competition at l’Hippodrome d’Argentan in Normandy. Sean has only 3,999 to go to catch up with Charlie Mills, the Irishman who dominated European trotting in the post-war years.