THE harness racing ‘five to follow’ this week takes in a young man who is just starting to get a leg on the ladder and an established driver who has accomplished much in a 20-year career culminating in regaining The Irish Field drivers’ title in 2021.

The 25-year-old Jamie Hurley is from Clonakilty right in the heart of West Cork, where harness racing is very popular. Patrick Kane is the part of the current generation of Kanes.

He traces back to the original Paddy Kane of Dorset Street in Dublin and the family name has long been associated with all things harness related in Dublin/Portmarnock.

The prize money for ‘trotting’ has improved in recent years but the running costs have shot up also. Even the top trainers and drivers would struggle to survive on that sport alone. Therefore a certain amount of ‘moonlighting’ with other breeds is inevitable.

Jamie rides out every morning at the Natiomal Hunt yard of Michael Kennedy at Inishshannon.

“A four-year-old point-to-pointer that Michael produced made £210,000 at the Cheltenham sales in February – if only we could command that sort of price for a pacer,” said Jamie during the week.

Patrick has a busy round as a farrier in thoroughbred and riding yards in the horsey country around Trim.

“A lot of the yards I go into follow my ups and downs in The Irish Field,” commented Patrick, “They know how I am getting on.”

Old head on young shoulders in the Jamie Hurley barn

JAMIE Hurley is the youngest licensed public harness racing trainer in the country.

In the past three seasons, the quiet-spoken Cork man has crept onto the scene with impressive results from a small string of horses, none of which cost a fortune.

Jamie’s biggest achievements would include planning a fruitful campaign with the three-year-old Trotteur Français filly Humble Beginnings in 2020.

Rare orchid

A three-year-old trotting filly is like a rare orchid that only blooms for a few weeks, and it was good work by the Hurley team to keep the filly sweet for most of that season.

“Humble Beginnings had trouble with her stifles all along,” explains Jamie, “they only got worse as the season wore on, and she did not train on at four.”

In addition to the tiny but tough mare, Jamie has also been associated with Maitha Buachaill. “He won 10 out of 12 for us”. Ironically Maitha Buachaill was bought from the Paddy Kane yard.

Jamie also trains and drives Foxfield Ranger. As the name implies the gelding is owned by the Carberrys who are mildly enthusiastic about Crossmaglen Rangers. The horse landed a gamble at the Red John meeting in 2021.

Jamie acknowledged the help from his parents and his sister Rebecca. Timmy O’Donovan and Richard Kingston come in at the weekends also. He goes out with Hannah Richardson “our head groom”, daughter of John Richardson.

Jamie says that Hannah will never divulge any Meadowbranch classified information!

2021 Champion Driver has strong hand again

PATRICK Kane jnr is only 35 but seems older as he was a success at a very young age. He was a mere 17 when he drove Cams Best to win the British Derby. For over a decade he went to England frequently to drive for Sally Teebon a successful trainer from Derbyshire.

He was associated with the great Miraculous who still holds the track record at Portmarnock. Patrick also drove the 2021 Trotter of the Year the undefeated Harry Knows. He broke the track record at Tir Prince, North Wales with Rhyds Scoundrel.

Find

Patrick’s keen eye also picked up a super find in England. He met his wife Rachel, whose family run Appleby trot on one of those busman’s holidays. The Bousfield name is to harness racing what ‘Carberry’ is to steeplechasing, so the couple were a great match.

Nowadays they have two children Eliza (5) and Louie (1) and of course ponies Coco and Kiki which compete in the Tiny Hooves races at Portmarnock.

Patrick mentioned Ned Stafford, Buddy Donaghy and Michelle Mulligan as part of the team. His father Paddy and brother Mark both have their specialities in the yard.

Hurley five to follow

FOXFIELD RANGER (IRE)

4yo g Total Truth – Kendal Feather

He was the first Total Truth to win in Ireland. He was just a big baby last season but he has wintered well. He is easy to do but a bit headstrong if, for example, he is tied up. He is an exciting prospect.

IRISH GOOD DREAM (IRE)

4yo Rachmaninov Seven – Queensy

Another one of the French/Irish trotters. He won two last year. Patrick (Kane jnr) drove him mainly. He can be slow getting out of the gate. If he gets his act together he’ll win races.

DUBAI LADY (FR)

9yo Fortuna Fant – Rose de Bas

She is a nightmare to jog so we tow her behind another horse. I’m not sure how fit she was last year due to her temperament. Despite all this she is a nice mare.

SAID TO BE SWEET (USA)

4yo m Artspeak – Sweethearts Dance

She is bred in the purple. She was with the Laidlers and they are a hard act to follow. She had some issues so we got her. The mare is only a G1 grade. I’m aiming to race her at Inchydoney beach on May 15th.

DEDICACE DE RHUYS (FR)

9yo g Rombaldi – Linda de Rhuys

It has taken a while to get his equipment right. He now wears two Murphy Blinds*. He has had niggly problems but he has ability.