SOME very interesting names jumped out of the record books when looking back at selected meetings held by the South Westmeath Harriers over the past 40 years.
On Sunday, March 13th, 1977 at Kilkenny West, the late Cecil Ross finished second on George Roby VI in the open farmers’ race which was won by Our Jock, a Skyros gelding who was ridden by Vincent O’Brien for his late father Gus.
The hunt race was won by Annagh Lady VI whose burden of 13st 10lb was made up for the most part by Michael Scott whose daughter Susan works for p2p.ie while David McCormack, now often a fence steward at his local meeting, landed the nomination race on Francie Derwin’s Chigaco VI who carried 13st 4lbs.
Ten years later at Lisstisson the winning riders were Paul Larkin, who now mainly deals in sport horses, John Sleator, Liam Cusack, Athenry trainer Pat Kelly, the six-time ladies’ champion Carmel Connaughton and Joe Banahan.
There was a mix-up to the conditions of the mares’ race that day which caused consternation to many, in particular the aforementioned Gus O’Brien.
The second race on the card was meant to be an open mares’ contest but ended up being a maiden which Sleator won on Carrickmoleen. That Bargello bay was owned and trained by Yvonne Monahan who, in common with Jessica Harrington, is one of the few Irish riders to have won the three-star event at the much-missed Punchestown International Horse Trials.
There were eight races at the Pigeons on Sunday, March 9th, 1997 when Paddy Graffin recorded a double on Johnstheman and Premium Brand. Other successful riders were Alan Fleming, Greg Harford, Brian Hamilton, Liam Lennon, Christopher McCarren and Andrew Younghusband.
Ten years ago, on Sunday, March 4th, 2007, there were also eight races but no rider managed to return to the number one spot more than once. In order, the successful riders were Jamie Codd, Ger O’Sullivan, Mark O’Hare, Nigel Slevin, Colin Motherway, Jason McKeown, Clare MacMahon and Cian Hughes.
The South Westmeaths return to the Pigeons tomorrow week, March 5th.