LAST Sunday I was at Tallow where racegoers were treated to two above average maidens.

As soon as the four-year-olds came into the ring it was obvious we were going to see a good race – they were a lovely bunch of horses. The winner, Colin Bowe’s Crazyheart (by Alhaarth), only won by a neck from John Nallen’s Minella Awards (by Oscar), but they were 20 lengths clear of the rest.

The race was the fastest of the day and five seconds faster than the open.

Colin had a great weekend with two winners at Tallow and one at Askeaton.

The Tallow track is considered quick and it demands a horse with a lot of pace and a good jumper. One horse with those attributes is Timmy Hyde’s five-year-old maiden winner Walking In The Air, a beautiful-looking son of Flemensfirth. Making his debut, he travelled in the front rank throughout in what was again a very fast-run race with 15 runners.

One must give the utmost credit to the Tallow race committee for their initiative in putting on a farmers’ market, a dog show and a parade of foxhounds. On a cold and foggy day, it was heart-warming to see such a huge crowd, from all walks of life, enjoying the many different aspects on show.

LEAVE THE SPORT ALONE

IT is very worrying to note that the Department of Agriculture intends to hand the registration of hunter certificates to a semi-state body, namely Horse Racing Ireland.

Taking this task away from an independent regulatory board (the Turf Club) is unacceptable. Inevitable changes in the political climate could see that department closed down or compromised in a way which would jeopardise the amateur ethos of point to point racing. Sometimes hunts may see fit to issue hunter certs to local farmers at no charge in return for the use of their land for racing, or other favours. Will that practice be done away with?

Point-to-points have been so successful and put so much into the industry, I cannot understand why it would be jeopardised by political interference. Why is there a need for change? I am sure the groundswell of opinion within the point to pointing community is that the sport should be protected from this potential damage.

THANKS MATT

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to wish Matt Mitchell the very best in his new role with Brightwells. In April Matt is stepping down as Head of Bloodstock to spend more time in Ireland. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other on the point-to-point circuit. Matt’s expertise has been a great source of assistance to me both personally and professionally and I know many others of the same opinion. Thanks Matt, and good luck!