Lyre Sunday

AT one time, every trotting owner wanted to have a free-for-all horse; in other words, an aged campaigner in the highest grade. Nowadays, the emphasis is more on early speed. Generous help from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine has created a pot (€60,000 on Sunday alone), which makes two and three-year-old racing attractive.

John Richardson’s time in the wilderness was not quite 75 years (he was leading driver in 2023), but his form was so poor in 2025, you’d wonder had he disrespected a funeral somewhere. However, it came about that John guided two nice winners at the prestigious IHRA Juvenile meeting at Lyre on Sunday.

The 20-time champion opened up by winning the two-year-old fillies with Catchmyhalo Hanover, selected by John and IHRA chairman Mark Flanagan at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania last autumn. There was a brief ‘speed duel’ to use the American term, in this race but Catchmyhalo Hanover (4/5 at the off) saw off Aines Story (Jonny Cowden, touched 7/2) to get the all-important lead.

In the end, the good-looking daughter of Papi Rob Hanover prevailed in 2.01.8. She is owned by a syndicate, which includes Joe Sheridan and the Welsh-born, Wolverhampton-based Allan Davies.

“Catchmyhalo Hanover has been straightforward from day one,’’ stated John Richardson.

By contrast, John’s winner of the three-year-old fillies’ goes back to Churchill Queen, who left winner after winner for the Flanagans. The race was a result for the straight layers, as Ayrodrome (Patrick Kane jnr) was hot favourite and there was money for the pole horse Shes No Angel.

Ayrodrome made an uncharacteristic error at a crucial point, but takes nothing away from the winner. Bill Donovan’s Cattlewash is the sire of the victor. 1.58.6 is a new lifetime best.

Fast times

Jonny Cowden’s good weekend continued, as he steered Sweet Pa to repeat the placings at the Breeders’ Crown, with RD Five Star (JR) again the bridesmaid. 1.57.1 is a new track record for a three-year-old colt. The winner is trained in Fermanagh by Neville Martin for David Curtin of Limerick.

The new Lyre surface is proving to be fast. Dubliner Clive Kavanagh came with a well-timed run aboard 1/2 favourite Hunt Me Down to deny John Richardson a Harrisburg double with Martinez The Knife, in a national record for two-year-old colts of 2.01.1.

Clive told compere John Sheehy that money would not buy this home-bred; Hunt Me Down is by Huntsville out of the remarkable Robyn Camden.

Ayroplane’s domination of the four-year-old pacing ranks continued, as he beat the improving Churchview Saka (Billy Roche) in said division. The €4,250 winning prize will cover the plane fare for owners, the sporting Ball brothers from London. Patrick Kane junior was in the bike. The winner must surely take his chance in the US at some stage. 1.57.1 is a big mile.

The four-year-old mares actually went faster in 1.56.5. The winner was Coalford Annabelle (Troy McAleer), although Shes Hungry (Clive Kavanagh) and Kicking Up The Sand (Jonny Cowden) kept the winner honest. “She has never let us down. I just hope she can keep it up,’’ a delighted Troy told The Irish Field.

Clue in the name

Limerick-based Johnny Cross jnr landed a gamble when Betonme (painfully apt for the bookies on duty) won the finale, a F/E pace from second favourite Benny The Legend (Jamie Hurley). Bequest was never a factor.

Leader De Lara won on Irish debut to lift a few Kerry hearts on a bad day at the office. Oisin Quiil of Kenmare benefited, as leader Jalexia Scott (Derry McCarthy) broke when looking like the winner of the only trot on the card, a Grade G race. Dublin raider Kourasonne d’Abourney (Patrick Kane jnr) was runner-up.

The winner of the Grade G at the inaugural meeting has been sold. There are no nameplates on the stable doors at the Manning yard in Limerick and John Manning sold Northern Lights to Harry Bennett of Clonakilty. “He’s a nice type for next year. I wouldn’t be my father’s son if I wouldn’t sell one,” was John’s take on the deal.

Readers are reminded that possibly the biggest event in Irish harness racing history, the European Apprentice Championship is to take place at Dundalk Stadium on Sunday, August 23rd. Come along and cheer Baltimore man Eoin Murphy against 11 of Europe’s up-and-coming stars. Hospitality packages are for sale on the Dundalk Stadium website.