THE Ballintra race committee is one of the most dedicated in the entire country and they were rewarded with top drawer racing on the bank holiday Monday.
In contrast to other parts of the country, the sun shone brightly over Ballybofey resulting in a wonderful family day out for the local community.
Jake Cromwell was crowned leading jockey on the day with a sparkling treble while it was a day to savour for visiting English jockey Charlie Chalmers who gained his first success on Irish soil.
Following doubles in Ballyconneely and Omey, Jake Cromwell kicked off his treble when Dream Dancer ran out an impressive winner of the 15hh race.
The first leg of a double for McGinley Racing, Dream Dancer tracked the leaders before setting sail off the final bend. Jake’s mount quickened away from here for a decisive five-length victory.
The same owner/trainer combination was quickly back in the winner’s enclosure half an hour later when Second Violin caused a mild upset when landing the 10-furlong contest.
Travelled kindly
Better known as a strong stayer, Second Violin seemed to relish the shorter trip here and travelled kindly early doors behind the pace setting Ronnie Drew.
The Meath jockey again went for home before the straight and ran out comfortable winners over Ronnie Drew and the eye-catching Let’s Try Again.
The winning McGinley pair will now head to Dingle this weekend with Second Violin likely to have another crack at the Dingle Derby.
The Cromwell treble was completed in the concluding maiden race when Dare To Dream came out on top in a three-way photo-finish.
Not Another Horse who dead-heated in Omey the previous afternoon made a brave bid from the front here under Paddy Finnegan. Wee Mia under Nina Doherty joined issue inside the furlong pole before Dare To Dream launched a withering run down the outside to get up in the very final stride. The winner is owned by the locally based Holian Syndicate from Letterkenny.
Rolled back the years
Team Browne have enjoyed many great days in Ballintra during Dylan Browne McMonagle’s pony racing career and they rolled back the years when Shake Me landed the featured Ballintra Derby.
Kaceylou Carberry continued her rich vein of form here with another brilliant front-running drive on the ultra impressive Shake Me. Judging the fractions to perfection, Kaceylou poured it on from the halfway stage and they ran out six-length winners over Tommy K and Nina Doherty.
This was the third win on the bounce for Shake Me who will surely make a bold bid to give the Meath jockey a second Dingle victory this weekend.
Chalmers first win
It was a red-letter afternoon for Charlie Chalmers who gained his first Irish victory on Run Run River in the two-mile contest.
On what was a quiet afternoon for Shane Crabbe by his standards, Run Run River bounced out in front and ran his rivals into submission.
It was an eye-catching performance from both horse and jockey with Run Run River now entering the equation for tomorrow’s Dingle Derby.
Charlie has enjoyed a wonderful season on the English circuit and recently won the West Mercian Pony Racing Championship and the Pony Club Area Pony Racing Trophy. He is eagerly looking forward to the three days in Dingle.
THE Dingle Racing Festival continues today Saturday and tomorrow Sunday with 2.30pm start.
The Geesala Racing Festival in Co Mayo will be held on August 15th and 16th. Allihies Races on the Beara Peninsula take place on Saturday, August 15th at 1pm.
Ballintra results
15HH (1M): 1, McGinley Racing’s DREAM DANCER (Jake Cromwell); 2, G. Faulkner’s SILVER BROOK (Camillus Byrne); 3, O. Finnegan’s LITTLE MAN (Thady Finnegan).
Open Horse Race (1M): 1, O. Finnegan’s LITTLE HEART (Paddy Finnegan); 2, S. Crabbe’s HE’S GOT HERE (Camillus Byrne);3, Team Browne’s LET’S ROCK (Kaceylou Carberry).
Open Horse Race (10F): 1, McGinley Racing’s SECOND VIOLIN (Jake Cromwell); 2, S. Crabbe’s RONNIE DREW (Paddy Finnegan); 3, Team Browne’s LET’S TRY AGAIN (Kaceylou Carberry).
Ballintra Derby (12F): 1, Team Browne’s SHAKE ME (Kaceylou Carberry); 2, L. McLaughlin’s TOMMY K (Nina Doherty); 3, P. Smith’s LAKEVIEW LADY (Valentina Botti).
Open Horse Race (2M): 1, S. Crabbe’s RUN RUN RIVER (Charlie Chalmers); 2, F. Byrne’s FIREBALL (Camillus Byrne); 3, N. McGhee’s RIGHT ON TIME (Leah McGhee).
Maiden Horse Race (12F): 1, Holian Syndicate’s DARE TO DREAM (Jake Cromwell); 2, O. Finnegan’s NOT ANOTHER HORSE (Paddy Finnegan); 3, S & M Syndicate’s WEE MIA (Nina Doherty).