THE 2026 Irish harness racing season opened last Sunday with the sport’s one and only beach meeting of the season at Harbour View, Kilbrittain, West Cork. Strangely, this meeting does not attract a large crowd. Pony racing on several beaches - and of course the unique Laytown - draw loads of people, yet this fixture had a sparse attendance again.
The event deserves better support as it has all the ingredients: a well laid out track, a clear commentary from Cian Cassidy, the ubiquitous starting car, the bright colours of the drivers and ‘sulkies’ being used properly. Trotters and pacers act well on sand, from Donegal to Dublin to Inchydoney, most of our leading trainers swear by fast work on a beach.
Anyway, the opening race of 2026 went to a local yard, those great supporters, the O’Reillys of Drimoleague, with Magical Bailey by Alan Wallace’s Bolt The Duer out of their own Elizabeth Ann. Coalford Belief (Rebecca Hurley) was the hare in this, but Magical Bailey showed a turn of foot for Matthew O’Reilly and put the race to bed.
The favourite Anglesey Beeline failed to fire for Jamie Hurley, but apart from this blip, the day belonged to the Reenascreena man. He clocked up a four-timer to go with his treble at the corresponding fixture last year. Jamie’s opener came aboard Fandango De Nile, won in a fundraising draw by Jamie and his partner, Hannah Richardson.
The durable 11-year-old saw off Kerian Scott (Dan O’Mahony) by two lengths in the G to F trot. “There was fierce pressure on from the owner,” joked Jamie. Benny The Legend (4/5 best) made it two on the Grade F pace, despite the best efforts of Christy Brown and Patrick Hill. Hotesse Du Chassin (touched 6/4) came around Hippie Sisu to take the Grade D to E trot.
Good thing
Graal Du Dollar looked a good thing for the top grade trot, despite a 30-yard trail. Bred in the purple, by Bold Eagle no less, the nine-year-old soon swallowed up the handicap. Homa (Tadhg Murphy) briefly led, but the rest were playing for the minor money as Hurley’s charge was foot-perfect and won in a hand drive by 17 lengths.
“I think I have them both fitter at this stage of the year than in 2025,” said Hurley of Hotesse Du Chassin and Graal Du Dollar. “Graal especially is a lot more settled.” The two bookies present both worked ‘without the favourite’ on this, but they still lost their money as the runner-up Fair Play Briolais (Dan O’Mahony) was nibbled at.
Hurley’s domination of the final five races was broken by the sole Dublin visitor. Wayne McNevin of Rough Diamond Stables in Rathcoole drove his own Benny Camden to an impressive win in the E to C pace. The winner looked to a have a lot to do at the half, but the saying is ‘class will out’ and, once Benny got into his stride, the war was over.
“Today was the first time this year we put the hobbles on him,” said Wayne. “Leah (daughter) is to drive him next week in the Liam Wallace young driver series.”
Ayr Harbour was a respectable second for owner Michael Healy and driver Michael O’Mahony. The next meeting in the region is to be at Manch tomorrow. The northern region is due to open at Annaghmore, also tomorrow.
BILLY Roche (44), aka The Red Baron, is the modest and unassuming brain behind the successful stable based at Newtown Stud, near Dublin airport. The licence is held by Billy’s father-in-law Joe Gannon. The yard is a real gambling stable. The company policy is that handicap marks are a minor inconvenience, which must be circumnavigated.
Billy had a decent year in 2025, driving 11 winners in Ireland with a couple of nice touches in the UK.
‘’Little Puffin (Always Be Puffin) winning two out of three in England and the final leg of the three-year-old series was a highlight,” stated Billy.
“The same filly winning the Liam Wallace Future Stars Trophy for my nephew John Boy was also very rewarding. We sold her to America and she has done well over there.”
Billy was anxious to mention John Paul O’Ceallaighain, his son Jake and Billy’s own nephew John Junior (John Boy in the race reports). “The boys do a great job at home. Young Jake looks after the horses so well.” The Red Baron mentioned six horses from his arsenal for 2026.
Oakwood Diana (Ire)
2yo f Foreclosure - Oakwood Destiny
John Roche, Joe Gannon, Myles Connors and Pat McCarthy own her. We did well with Always B Puffin and Churchview Miaow, so fingers crossed. She has a sister that paced 1.59 in Britain at two. She has trained down well and should debut in late June.
Churchview Rusty (Ire)
3yo g Cattlewash - Scappa Hanover
We raced him in the North Wales championship at two, where he was a decent second. He’s entered in all the big stakes. He’d have a bite at you, but if he’s decent we’ll put up with that.
Churchview Saka (Ire)
4yo g Always B Miki - Kikis Girl
A big gangly horse at 16.3hh. He’s been in and out and we think its because he was constantly growing. So we’ve given him time. Maybe this year he will earn his keep.
Hope De Guinette (Fr)
9yo g Opium - Tina De Guinete
I’ve very few trotters this year, and I used to have loads. He is a decent racehorse, although he’ll be chasing around Harry Knows. Graal Du Dollar is also a lovely horse. He won three or four in 2025 and we’ll take our chance again.
Reuben Camden (GB)
3yo g Art Professor - Fast And Feisty
He is owned by William Barrow of Cork. He’ll qualify this weekend and will go to all the big dances. Art Professor has left nice stock.