LAST Saturday saw the inaugural running of Ashbourne Races, and the event hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce proved to be a huge success enjoyed by a crowd of about 2,000.

Jack Kennedy enjoyed a bumper afternoon as he helped himself to four winners while Danny Sheehy and Robbie Smithers both rode doubles.

The first three of Kennedy’s winners were from the Roscommon-based Finnerty stable, starting with the 14.2hh race which went to Snowdrop who bounced away in front and made all to win from Blazing Glory.

Choc Ice then took the 15hh race as he got the better of the Ian Kelly-ridden Aideen’s Dream after a driving finish.

The feature event of the day was the mile race and Omega continued his late season renaissance as he racked up his fifth win since late July, making every post a winning one with Dancinginthedark taking the runner-up spot for the umpteenth time this season.

Kennedy completed his four-timer in the 10-furlong race for Donegal owner Peter Mooney on Morgan Spice for who he completed a double. This was a second but more successful appearance for the horse who had earlier blown his chance at the start of the mile race.

On his best behaviour here, he was dropped out early before coming through late for an impressive win.

Robbie Smithers recently graduated from RACE and he is furthering his education in the renowned Michael Halford academy while gaining race-riding experience in pony racing.

The Kilberry, Co Kildare rider showcased his talents with a double that opened with an all the way success in the 14hh race on Little Molly.

Smithers dictated affairs from the off and gradually increased the tempo to win from the Daniel McMenamin-ridden Mr. Marshall, overcoming a slipped saddle in the process.

Smithers later took the final race of the midlands region season as he steered University to victory in the 12-furlong non-winners race for P.J. Donnelly.

Smithers again made all the running and although they didn’t look entirely comfortable through the early part of the race, the winner warmed to his task and despite Doubles Or Quits closing ominously under Rossa Ryan they stuck well to their task to win.

Danny Sheehy has made a seamless transition from the small ponies to horses this year as he enjoyed a great season.

However, with his younger brother Mikey taking a day-off he stepped back to win the both the 12.2hh and 13.2hh races. The Five County Syndicate pair of Another Tiger and Raynuso have suffered only one defeat between them this year and they maintained their record under Danny.

Another Tiger made all to take the 12.2hh race but Raynuso did her best to add a little excitement to the 13.2hh race by gifting her solitary rival a significant head-start.

However, despite this she came through to beat the Jamie Kelly ridden Another Moonshine and maintain her 100% record.

The Bleahen family had a good day with Luke winning the 12-furlong race on Libby’s Dream for Peter Mooney. He gave the winner an outstanding ride, making all and poaching an unassailable lead from halfway to win by about 10 lengths.

Luke would have entertained thoughts of a double in the following two-mile race as he teamed up with another Peter Mooney charge, 2013 Dingle Derby winner Jack Daniels.

However, he was to be denied by his cousin Harry Bleahen on Where’s Johnny, whose race-winning move was to slip up the inner on the turn-in whereas Luke was forced to make his move on the outside.

The novice pony race went to Donegal rider Dylan Browne-McMonagle on Caca Milis who made all to win from Little Honey ridden by Jack Deegan, the son of leading trainer Paul.

Results

Saturday, September 27th

Local Race (6f): 1. D. Browne’s CACA MILIS (Dylan Browne); 2. K. Deegan’s HONEY LASS (Jack Deegan); 3. C. McGrath’s ALBERT (Conor McGrath).

12.2hh (6f): 1. The 5 Counties Syndicate’s ANOTHER TIGER (Danny Sheehy); 2. M.  McGuane’s ?SUNDANCE (Mikey McGuane).

13.2hh (6f): 1. The 5 Counties Syndicate’s RAYNUSO (Danny Sheehy); 2. J. Kelly’s LITTLE MOONSHINE (Jamie Kelly).

14hh (6f): 1. J Doyle’s LITTLE MOLLY (Robert Smithers); 2. D. McMenamin’s MR MARSHALL (Daniel McMenamin); 3. M. Finnerty’s FIDDLERS BRIDGE (Rossa Ryan).

14.2hh (10f): 1. M. Finnerty’s SNOWDROP (Jack Kennedy); 2. JJ. Bailey’s BLAZING GLORY (Robert Smithers); 3. D. Egan’s SYDNEY HARBOUR (David Egan).

15hh (8f): 1. M. Finnerty’s CHOC ICE (Jack Kennedy); 2. I. Kelly’s AIDEENS DREAM (Ian Kelly); 3. A. Browne’s DAZZLER (Rossa Ryan).

Open Horse Derby (8f): 1. M. Finnerty’s OMEGA (Jack Kennedy); 2. S. Glynn’s DANCING IN THE DARK (Rossa Ryan); 3. G. Faulkner’s CAUSEWAY STAR (Luke McGuinness).

Open Horse (10f): 1. P. Mooney’s MORGAN SPICE (Jack Kennedy); 2. B. Harrison’s LAST CHANCE PADDY (Luke McGuinness); 3. L. McCarthys THE RUSSIAN (Luke Bleahan).

Open Horse (12f): 1. P. Mooney’s LIBBYS DREAM (Luke Bleahan); 2. M. Finnerty’s MR GREY (Jack Kennedy); 3. G. Collins FORGET ME NOT (Jill Robinson).

Open Horse (16f): 1. The Going Broke Syndicate’s WHERE’S JOHNNY (Harry Bleahan); 2. P. Mooney’s JACK DANIELS (Luke Bleahan). 3. L. Cregg FULLY LOADED (Killian Leonard).

Non Winners (12f): 1. PJ. Donnelly’s UNIVERSITY (Robert Smithers) 2. A. Browne’s DOUBLE OR QUITS (Rossa Ryan); 3. G. Faulkner’s CAUSEWAY VIEW (Jack Kennedy).