THE Irish harness racing scene may be in closed season but various figures, primarily the Kane family based at The Naul and Summerhill, Meath are doing their best to keep Ireland in the news on the European scene.
Thanks largely to the close co-operation between the Irish Harness Racing Association and Le TROT of France, this country was represented in both France and Italy recently.
The connections of Harry Knows, a regular headline maker in this column, were invited to a sparkling ceremony at ‘The Temple of Trot’, Vincennes in Paris recently where the leading Trotteurs Français from various countries around Europe were feted.
Paddy Kane and his wife Tina were accompanied by senior IHRA official James O’Sullivan. Various mementoes were presented including a framed photo of Harry, now rising nine, and a beautiful personalised rug.
The same photo was enlarged and projected on a screen in the corporate suite in Vincennes. The event was a nice fillip for official IHRA photographer Chloé Nelson from Portadown, who contributes regularly to The Irish Field. “I never expected a photo of mine to be on the stage in Paris - it was a lovely surprise,” said Chloé.
“It was an honour to represent Ireland in such a way,” said Paddy Kane. “Hopefully we’ll take Harry to race in France in 2026.”
OVER the same weekend Paddy’s nephew Sean drove in the annual Prix des Rencontres for leading drivers from eight or nine countries. Sean has raced in Sweden, New Zealand and France. His horse was leading until the top of the straight but failed to get home.
The following weekend Paddy’s son Patrick was second beaten a neck in an international drivers race in Siracusa, Italy. IHRA directors Mark Flanagan and Kevin Corey travelled to negotiate Ireland getting onto a Mediterranean circuit.
Ireland V France but not a rugby ball in sight
FINALLY, the regular France versus Ireland drivers challenge takes place at Argentan, Normandy, this weekend. Two teams, one of apprentices and another of professional drivers will answer Ireland’s call.
The apprentices consist of Adam Corey, Calvin Broughan, John Boy Roche, Troy McAleer and Dan O’Mahony.
The professionals are Jimmy Stewart, Niall Forbes, Patrick Manning, Darren Timlin and Joseph Reenaghan. Since the inception, Sean Kane, Chris O’Reilly and Eoin Murphy have won on this card.