THE 13-year-old Cyclone De Couriere (6/4 best) and Daniel McAteer from Randalstown were the toast of Annaghmore last weekend.

The gelding is in some order, out in splendid dapples and won the Grade E to F trot from the staying on Hera De Maupi (Martin Loughran).

The win made a hat-trick in recent weeks. “We’ve had him nine seasons and he has won races in every campaign,” said a delighted Daniel.

The durability of the Trotteur Français breed is well demonstrated by four of Sunday’s winners. Cyclone De Couriere (13), Biniou De Beuvron (14) and the 11-year-olds Extrem Ryld and Ecrin de Grimault - all four seem to thrive on racing.

Charlie Flanagan is juggling her harness driving career with caring for four-month-old Rose Marie and running her equine massage practice. Willie Flanagan’s daughter drove the only double of the day with Biniou De Beuvron in the apprentice trot and Cash All in the top-grade pace. “Myself and dad are training Biniou ourselves this year, he’s just a great servant.”

Charlie was in the bike with Cash All, as regular pilot John Richardson was suspended. The Scottish-bred’s appearances on the track have been infrequent in recent years and his form has been in-and-out. Unbelievably, for a runner from the ‘Ballydoyle of harness racing’, he went off at 7/1 in a four-runner top grade pace.

Lust for life

Cash All didn’t know the betting and he showed some of his old lust for life to record a gutsy all-the-way victory over Benny Camden (Wayne McNevin) in 1.59.

Elsewhere on the card, Adam Corey made it two from two on board Extrem Ryld (5/2) in the C to D trot. They beat Helios De Lara (Sean Kane for Aidan Caffrey) by three-quarters of a length in 2.36.5. The runner up is now off a handy mark.

Johnny Cross from Limerick owns Sweet Royalty, the most exciting skewbald pacing mare seen for some time. The mare is trained by Bernard Nicholson, this fact was omitted last week. On her previous run, Royalty was driven by the owner, on Sunday, Bernard held the lines.

To sum up, 2.00 flat off a 10-yard trail is a big mile. Hot favourite Sweet Royalty beat a pretty average bunch, but her style of winning would give her a real life in the four-year-old mares’ race at the upcoming Vincent Delaney Memorial (see accompanying article).

Tough win

Speaking of the VDM, Coalford Henry H booked his place on the horsebox with a tough win in 2.01.5 for the Duggan cousins from Galbally. I’m Great Hanover (Jonny Cowden) made the little brother of the great Coalford Tetrick work for it and a quarter of a length was the judge’s call.

The placings were reversed when Cowden on Sweet PA beat Simon Duggan on Coalford Look At Me in the two-year-old pace. Neville Martin of Ederney owns the winner. “He is a better two-year-old than Sweet Dreams,”offered Neville. High praise indeed.

Calvin Broughan on Making Memories was content to track Sean Kane on Made For Monsa and then pick up to win the three-year-old trot. ”He is just naturally talented,” said the Cabra man.

The meeting closed with a bloodless win in the top grade trot by Ecrin De Grimault, owned by John Morgan of Omeath and driven as usual by Noel Ryan.

The strapping light bay beat Karla Style (Martin Loughran) who got going very late.

Racing resumes at Annaghmore today.

DUC d’Arry closed in on his 25th victory on Irish soil when putting in a commanding performance to land the spoils in the top grade trot at Lyre on Saturday afternoon past.

Fairplay Briolais led until the final quarter then James O’Driscoll eased Duc d’Arry to the front and went on to record a three-length winning margin from Fina Mix who stayed on for second with Inspire Me back in third.

The winner is owned by Denis O’Reilly from Drimoleague, who normally drives himself but is sidelined following a recent minor operation.

“James gets on with him really well and has two wins and a second in the three runs - not too bad for a novice driver,” O’Reilly commented after racing.

Get Me Out Of Here has been a model of consistency all year and got his day in the sun here. Matthew O’Reilly’s charge had a tussle with Someone’s Fantasy early in the race but eventually hit the front and was a length clear at the finish from Someone’s Fantasy and Anglesey Hall, who arrived on the scene late.

Well supported

Two Limerick-based runners got on to score sheet. House Party was well supported in the Grade G to G2 Pace and was never in any danger holding off Totally Reilly by half a length. The winner is owned by Ryan Manning from Groody Hill in Limerick city, with his father John doing the steering.

The second winner for the Treaty County came in the Grade E and F trot. Hippie Sisu was the hare in this contest, sent to the front by Eoin Murphy from the start, followed by Brutenor. Heading out on the final circuit, Kaline Des Racques joined and passed the leader and was not for catching, recording his first victory on grass for North Limerick-based Anthony O’Donnell.

Ayr Beach was another favourite to oblige in the Grade F pace. Chelsie O’Driscoll came in for the spare drive here as regular driver Derry McCarthy was absent. O’Driscoll was an able replacement, quickly getting to the front and didn’t see a rival winning by a comfortable length from IB Felicity.

Immodesto was the punters’ choice in the Grade C to D trot. Hallow Way Road led here from Destin de Larre and Going Des Tithais.

On the final circuit, Hallow Way Road went further clear for driver Patrick Hill, eventually beating Comete Des Landes by a good three lengths. “This fellow has bags of ability but hasn’t been firing this year, so hopefully today he has turned the corner in time for The Paddy Connolly Memorial next weekend,” The Leap-based Hill told The Irish Field.

All roads lead to Dunmanway this weekend for the two-day Ballabuidhe Festival. Standard races take place on Sunday with the feature races on Bank Holiday Monday.

Results, racecards and information at www.irishharnessracing.com Race replays can be viewed at Irish Harness Racing Association You Tube channel.

THE remarkable Harry Knows driven by Patrick Kane jnr smashed the British mile and a half record (3.08.5) held by Sire Pazinais since 2016 at York last weekend. The pride of Summerhill clocked 3.01.4 and was winning in his fourth country.

THE annual Vincent Delaney Memorial meeting takes place at Tir Prince Raceway, North Wales next Friday, August 8th and Saturday, August 9th. The venue may be in Wales, but the meeting has a strong Irish feel as it is organised by the Delaney family, nowadays based at Oakwood Stud in Offaly, in memory of their brother.

Many followers consider it to be the highlight of the Irish and British season, with a prize fund of almost £100,000. Championships for two, three and four-year-old colts and fillies are held.

The 2025 renewal will see the second running of the Bernie Kelly Memorial Ladies’ Race, the inaugural event was won by Bernie’s daughter Grace. Derek Delaney has worked his magic in attracting eight very different ladies from all over the world

Driver Age Nationality Home Track Lifetime Wins

Jessica Dyer 29 Great Britain Amman Valley 14

Lauren Harmon 24 USA Northfield Park 48

Laura Freno 38 Malta Marsa 9

Catherine Lord 29 Great Britain York 14

Kelly Peacock 41 Great Britain York 48

Leah McNevin 19 Ireland Annaghmore 12

Miia Salminen 50 Finland Vermo 51

Lauren Tritton 31 Australia Meadowlands 980 Aus 81 USA