A TENNIS parallel to begin this week: in the late 1970s, the big-serving American/Lithuanian Vitas Gerulaitas kept coming up against the petulant Jimmy Connors, who had a more complete game.
In fact, Connors beat Gerulaitas 16 times until the underdog beat him in straight sets in the Masters Cup of 1980. Gerulaitis gave the press one of the all-time great sporting quotes, when he said: “And let that be a lesson to you all: no-one beats Vitas Gerulaitus 17 times”.
Annaghmore on a minor day in September may lack the pizzazz of tennis’ golden era, but there was a strange coincidence in that Calvin Broughan’s Making Memories had beaten Joe Sheridan’s Moet Of Springhill 16 times going into the meeting.
Lo and behold, Making Memories made an uncharacteristic break leaving the gate and Moet Of Springhill, so often the bridesmaid, got his win at last. Usual pilot Jonny Cowden was in the bike.
Jodie Sheridan’s statement was not as witty as Gerulaitis but no less apt. “Moet Of Springhill has been consistent all year and finally got his day in the sun. Grande Galaxie has also been a great mare for us and has delivered once again.”
Grande Galaxie made it a Springhill Stud double, when she won the Grade F trot from Jalexia Scott (Luke Timlin). The mare was driven by Gavin Murdock.
She practised her kicking against the frame of a decent sulky and needed a replacement cart, so full marks to Gavin for keeping her settled. Incidentally, the four-year-old trot was a 1-2-3 for Sheridan runners, as Mick Of Springhill and Monsieur Of Springhill filled the frame.
Joe Sheridan and his wife Marian have experienced many highs and some awful lows in harness racing. Through it all, the name ‘J Sheridan’ has been a constant on racecards from April to October for as long as anyone can remember, and the couple were inundated with handshakes and congratulations.
Elsewhere, there was another feel-good story as Niall Nugent from Keady attained his first lifetime win with the much-improved Brody (2/1).
Brody showed promise at two with Bernard Nicholson, but was sold to owners outside of licenced racing before Niall found him. “My son Caolan (14) helps me a lot with the horse. It’s a great feeling to get off the mark.”
Springhill Cracker was not disgraced in second with Billy Roche. The Roches like a gamble to earn their winter keep and Cracker should be followed.
The top of The Irish Field Drivers’ Championship is getting a little overcrowded. Jamie Hurley (still second) had a treble down at Lyre, where Patrick Kane jnr (leading) drove a double.
At Annaghmore, Jonny ‘Be Good’ Cowden threw his hat into the ring with a neat treble. The Glengormley-based driver hardly flinched a muscle as he steered Kevin Corey’s Montanas Prince to win the G1 pace.
Finally, Neville Martin’s Just A Moment justified favouritism in the B to E Grade pace.
Jonny guided the five-year-old in a swift 1.58.8 to beat Coalford Henry H from the Duggan, Galbally yard.
Simon and Sean Duggan had better luck in the D/E trot as Krack Marancourt (5/4 favourite) mowed down the long-time leader Juvenile, who set fast fractions with Charlie Flanagan.
The time of 2.00.7 is one of the fastest trots around the Armagh oval. Simon Duggan was in the sulky.
Bowie, a four-year-old by Tom Hill, was sold at the meeting from Greg Dean to Neil McDermott.
The latter will be pleased as his new purchase saw off Sweet Gossip (Billy Roche) in 2.01.6.
The odds of 1/5 signify Bowie’s superiority and you’d assume he might target one or two more races in Ireland before going into storage for a spring handicap in 2027. The win made a double on the day for Gavin Murdock.
The meeting closed with Billy Roche winning the high grade trot with Hulk Chantereine, despite the best efforts of Kevin Corey on Isba Quick.
The challenger and the champ. Jamie Hurley (green and blue) pulls up beside Patrick Kane jnr at Lyre /Lydia Kelleher Shine
Lyre Sunday \ Tim Kelleher
REENASCREENA-based driver Jamie Hurley kept up his bid for The Irish Field National Drivers’ Championship, partnering three winners at Lyre on Sunday afternoon.
Benny Camden was the standout performance in the Grade A to C pace. Hurley slowly whittled down the 40-yard handicap. With a quarter of a mile to pace, Benny Camden was now challenging and swept to the front before the final corner and ran on to win by three lengths, with The Groomsman and Biggins filling the minor places in that order. The winning time of 2.00.6 was a great performance off his mark. Owned by Dubliner Wayne McNevin, the 12-year-old has been a great servant winning both the Red John Memorial Low-Grade and High-Grade Finals in a glittering career.
Charlie Bennett’s Tarawood Larry recently joined the Hurley yard. The four-year-old son of Tom Hill produced a top-class performance on his second outing for Hurley to land the spoils in the Grade F pace.
Striking distance
Dazzling Lou and Lady Lou were the market principals in this and had the better of the early exchanges. Turning for home, Tarawood Larry was within striking distance and was six lengths to the good at the finish.
The Hurley treble was started in the opener, in the shape of Meadowbranch Rí who wasn’t winning out of turn. At half-way, Dun An Doras went three lengths clear with Meadowbranch Ri now the danger. Turning for home, the margin was down to a length with Meadowbranch Rí closing with every stride.
The big son of Sweet Lou got up in the shadow of the post to get the judge’s call by a head. Owners Meadowbranch Stud advertised the gelding for sale during the week and the win will help their case.
“I’m not really thinking about the drivers’ championship, as Patrick (Kane) and Jono (Cowden) will have plenty chances up North for the next few weeks and, as we are due [to] finish here in Cork next week, it will be hard to peg him back. I’m delighted to be in the running for the award, and we’ve had a great year,” said Jamie.
Worthwhile journey
Speaking of Patrick Kane, the Meath man made the journey south and came away with two winners. Harry Knows added another record to his CV, when landing the odds in the A to C Grade trotting handicap. He had to give his three rivals a 50-yard handicap and over the mile that looked a daunting task.
Hotesse Du Chassin and Halloway Road ensured fast fractions up front, but Harry Knows kicked clear at the three-quarter pole and was too good for Kirio Scott, who ran well in defeat. As they passed the finishing line, the clock flashed at 2.01.2, which is a new track record for the mile for trotters at Lyre.
Kane teamed up with the Baltimore-based Murphy Brothers on Comete Des Landes in the Grade E to G trot, where stable driver Eoin Murphy sided with Homa.
Comete Des Landes got away in front. At the three-quarter pole, Homa tried hard to get on terms, but Comete Des Landes was not for catching, coming home two lengths clear at the finish.
Fairplay Briolais caught the eye in defeat last week and got an overdue success in the Grade C and D trot. Dan O’Mahony made the running with Fairplay Briolais and they held on grimly to win by a length from the staying on Gentleman Coglais with Instinct De Jomax coming late to finish third.
The winner is owned by winning driver Dan O’Mahony and trained by his father Jeremiah at the Ballabuidhe Track.
Racing returns to Lyre today, with Annaghmore staging tomorrow. Information and results at www.irishharnessracing.com. Replays at IHRA YouTube channel.
2026 The Irish Field National Drivers’ Title
Driver Number of wins at Sept 22nd (unofficial)
Patrick Kane jnr, Summerhill 26
Jamie Hurley, Reenascreena 24
Jonny Cowden, Glengormley 21
John Richardson, Ballyboughal 18
Michael O’Mahony, Schull 13
Eoin Murphy, Baltimore 12
Billy Roche, Cloghran 11
Calvin Broughan, Cabra 8