Annaghmore Sunday

MARTIN Loughran’s knack for picking up the big races was on display at Annaghmore last Sunday. The shrewd Cooley, Co Louth-based horseman won the Jack Galway Memorial Cup, a late season highlight with Willy John Cooke’s Kirio Scott (7/4 second fav).

Martin drove two textbook perfect waiting races on the day. In the Grade E trot, the Louthman let Ilda Machotte (4/6 favourite) creep into the race in her own time.

He produced the mare with her attractive white face on the line, to the delight of his many backers. Juvenile (Bernard Nicholson) was a gallant second.

In the Jack Galway Cup, Loughran got the better of a tough final half between Kirio Scott and Martin’s friend and rival Ronan Norton on Iron Paddy.

“He’s a good horse but hard work,” Martin told The Irish Field, “he’s very quirky.

“When you put him out, he wants into the shed, when you put him in the shed, he wants out.” €2,585 for the winner will make those walks to the paddock seem less bother.

The meeting was in honour of Jack Galway, Gerry Keenan and Paul Boyle. The ‘Galway girls’ Geraldine, Ciara, Katrina and Michelle excelled themselves with an array of bottles for winning drivers, rugs for winning horses and snacks and sweets for adults and kids. There was a feeling of goodwill worth more than any prize money.

Harry Knows and Northern Pride are the best trotter and the best pacer in the country respectively. Predictably, the pair won the two free-for-alls on the day.

A win apiece for Patrick Kane jnr and Troy McAleer meant that the gap of two at the top of the driver’s table stays unchanged.

Northern Pride clocked 2.01.8. The race was sponsored by Ayr Standardbreds, who should be amongst the toppers at today’s yearling sale at York. Always Skye was second for Patrick Kane jnr and Lawrence Stewart.

The free-for-all was in memory of Paul Boyle. ‘Boyler’s’ great friend John Richardson did the honours with the trophy. Harry Knows went 3.07.6 for the mile and a half with Graal Du Dollar (Jamie Hurley) a distant second.

Empereur Souverain (1) and Niall Forbes outbattle Kaos De La Cotte \ Chloé Nelson

Niall Forbes made the long journey from Drimoleague, West Cork worthwhile when he took out the Grade F trot with his old faithful Empereur Souverain, who is now 11 years old.

Empereur Souverain, Kaos De La Cote and Kepi De Chrismi all lunged for the line like track athletes, with the Cork raider hanging on by half a length.

The fairytale happy ending of a Galway-owned winner on their special weekend was not to be as Kaos De La Cote, on Irish debut, made a couple of skips and met traffic. Kaos De La Cote (Calvin Broughan) put up a huge performance and should open his account before the season closes. Niall Forbes was delighted with his winner. “Not bad for a horse who had been away from the hard track for five years,” was the comment.

Another popular winner was Check Out Lou (7/2) and owner-driver Lee Kelly. The five-year-old son of Sweet Lou seems to have been around forever and always runs his race. The combination won the Grade F pace in 2.04.1. Louis Vutton paced well for second, the favourite Stateside Phoenix was not fluent.

No Small Talk was unbackable for the Gerry Keenan pace. Eoin Joyce took him to the front early. Breeder John Richardson observed: “I like the way he finds a bit when a horse comes at him.” The sky’s the limit for the four-year-old in 2026, he has not been really pushed yet.

For A Few Pearls More (Billy Roche) rewarded ‘without’ backers as runner-up Neil McDermott’s Sweet Gossip, also by Sweet Lou, is another exciting prospect for 2026. The five-year-old was only toying with the opposition in the Grade G pace. Bernard Nicholson was in the bike.

The Cootehiil trainer got going late in 2025, but as the season wore on, he pulled out some talented types. The meeting saw six new imports from the latest draft of French Trotters bought through the Le TROT/ IHRA sales process. Some took to Annaghmore like a duck to water, while others will need a second or third go.

Newcomers

Two of the most impressive newcomers were Krack Marancourt (3/1 to evens), who ran Emil Paco (4/1) to a dead-heat, and Inaya Mongochy, who won her grade event outright. Simon Duggan drove Krack Marancourt, while Jonny Cowden was aboard Emil Paco. Dan McAteer came in for the catch drive on Inaya Mongochy. Happily, both Krack Marancourt and Inaya Mongochy are owned by first-time owners. The former is owned by the Duggans with Niall and young Michael Loughran, the latter was imported by Leo O’Reilly.

At the moment, the Coreys could win a race with the stable cat. Adam Corey’s prolific form continued as Arts Princess overcame a tough draw to win a Grade F pace in 2.03.8. Battle Fever and Jimmy Stewart keep hitting the crossbar.

Making Memories and Calvin Broughan won yet another three-year-old trot, with customary ease. Mr Castlewood (Daniel McAteer) kept on gamely without seriously troubling the winner.

Racing continues at Annaghmore until Sunday, October 26th. Tomorrow sees a nine-race card. The track is at Junction 13 M1 or eight miles west of Richill. Results and racecards at www.irishharnesracing.com. Replays on IHRA You Tube channel.