THE first beach meeting of the season kicked off the busiest week on the horse and pony racing circuit in Omey Strand on Sunday last.
Despite the damp conditions, the horse and pony racing fraternity were out in force and eagerly looking forward to the Dingle Festival.
Indeed, it had been a very special week for pony racing graduates with Daniel King and Dylan Browne McMonagle taking the big festivals at Galway and Goodwood by storm.
There were doubles on the day for Paddy Finnegan, Camillus Byrne and Jake Cromwell while the Shane Crabbe powerhouse continued in sparkling form.
Shane saddled She’s A Maniac in the mile race and Paddy Finnegan’s mount put up a stellar performance under a welter burden to win on the bridle.
The eye was drawn to She’s A Maniac who travelled kindly all the way before forging to the front three furlongs down. It was one way traffic from here as the Meath jockey eased right down for a six-length victory. The winning trainer quickly nominated today’s Golden Mile as the main Dingle Festival target. Runner-up Seaford Sunset kept on nicely and is also Festival-bound.
The Finnegan double came courtesy of Not Another Horse who had to share the spoils with Bobby Lambe on Maverick at the end of a thrilling two-mile contest. Not Another Horse made most of the running here before Maverick came with a long withering run from the furlong pole to force a dead-heat at the line. Both jockeys are going from strength to strength this season and will be in big demand this weekend.
Tremendous run
Another Meath star, Camillus Byrne, is enjoying a tremendous run as No 2 jockey at the all-conquering Crabbe stable. He initiated his double, however, for his home yard when Speed Dial got up close home to deny Little Mickey and Charlie Chalmers in the 13.2hh race.
This young pony has been gaining valuable experience in recent weeks and stayed on strongly down the straight for a first victory. It is great to see Charlie Chalmers joining us from the English circuit and it should be only a matter of time before this stylish jockey gains a winning bracket.
Camillus completed his double when Yours Or Mine ran out a really snug winner of the 12-furlong contest. The winner powered to the front at the half-mile marker and surged clear for a six-length victory. Yours Or Mine is really versatile trip-wise and will have a choice of engagements this weekend.
Jake Cromwell is another jockey riding on the crest of a wave and he was on the mark in the opening 12.2hh event with Tiny Dancer. This gallant grey pony, who is owned by John Mulvihill, remains unbeaten this season after a gutsy victory over great rival Minie Hawk.
Jake’s mount answered every call down the straight for a half a length success. Both ponies will clash again tomorrow afternoon.
The Cromwell double came in the 14.2hh race when All Bets Are Off put up an impressive performance to see off Little Princess by four lengths. The winner had been slow to find his form this year before striking in Ballyconneely seven days earlier.
All Bets Are Off collared long-time leader Little Princess three furlongs out and forged away for a decisive success. The Cromwell team will be three handed in the 14.2hh division at the Dingle Festival with the winner set to be joined by I Don’t Care and Lesson Learned.
High hopes
The McNamara family will have high hopes with Silver Hill this weekend and they could well have found another star in Buncrana who oozed class to win the 10-furlong race.
Kian McNally, sporting the J.P. McManus silks, bounced out in front here and made every yard of the running to win in some style. Derek McNamara reported Silver Hill in tip top shape for today’s Golden Mile while Buncrana will bid to give Kian McNally a big victory at his final Dingle Festival in one of the 10-furlong contests. Runner-up Luke Kelly, who carried top-weight here, will be another big string to the Shane Crabbe Festival bow.
Stick Season put a rare disappointing effort in Ballyconeely well behind him when sluicing home in the 15hh race over 10 furlongs.
Travelling in the box seat early doors, Nina Doherty went to the front three furlongs out and forged away for a very comprehensive victory.
Owned by the Cregg family from Frenchpark, Co Roscommon, Stick Season will hold engagements in all three 15hh races in Ballintaggart.
Omey results
12.2HH (6F): 1, J. Mulvihill’s TINY DANCER (Jake Cromwell); 2, T. Beegan’s MINIE HAWK (Cameron Cromwell); 3, O. Finnegan’s LITTLE JOEY (Thady Finnegan).
13.2HH (1M): 1, F. Byrne’s SPEED DIAL (Camillus Byrne); 2, K. Cromwell’s LITTLE MICKEY (Charlie Chalmers).
14.2HH (10F): 1, K. Cromwell’s ALL BETS ARE OFF (Jake Cromwell); 2, M. Brady’s LITTLE PRINCESS (Charlie Chalmers); 3, O. Finnegan’s JUSTASEC (Thady Finnegan).
15HH (10F): 1, Cregg Family’s STICK SEASON (Nina Doherty); 2, B. Mahon’s U.S.A. (Paddy Finnegan); 3, M. Brady’s SPOT ON (Camillus Byrne).
Open Horse Race (1M): 1, S. Crabbe’s SHE’S A MANIAC (Paddy Finnegan); 2, M. Brady’s SEAFORD SUNSET (Camillus Byrne); 3, D. Donnelly’s ABBEY KING (Ethan Hogan).
Open Horse Race (10F): 1, McNamara Family’s BUNCRANA (Kian McNally); 2, S. Crabbe’s LUKE KELLY (Camillus Byrne); 3, Finnerty Families ATHY SPIRIT (Holly Halford).
Open Horse Race (12F): 1, S. Crabbe’s YOURS OR MINE (Camillus Byrne); 2, A. Lambe’s ENDLESS DREAM (Bobby Lambe); 3, Cahill Brothers KINGFISHER Callum Mangan).
Open Horse Race (2M): 1 DH, O. Finnegan’s NOT ANOTHER HORSE (Paddy Finnegan); 1 DH, Finnerty Family’s MAVERICK (Bobby Lambe); 3, S. Crabbe’s MINE OR YOUR (Charlie Chalmers).