AN unfortunate aspect of this column is that deaths of harness racing followers are reported. Amongst the regulars we lost in 2022 were Gerry ‘Farmer’ Cummins who drove at a more leisurely pace in his carriage on St Stephen’s Green.

A few weeks later John Smith, one of the most stylish drivers to ever grace the track, also passed.

In November we lost one of the track’s barmen, Dave Walsh, who lived locally.

“IT only happens to a good one”, is a common saying amongst horsey people. Yet again this rang true in trotting circles. The year’s leading three-year-old Rhyds Scoundrel was set to be shipped to the US before a fatal accident at winter grass claimed his life.

Both owner Wayne McNevin and breeders the Murphy brothers were proud of the two-year-old campaign by IB Sweetcandy Girl.

Tragically, the filly suffered an injury, also at grass, which while not life ending, has ended her racing career. The filly is by Sweet Lou out of Jill and Jones so there will be hope in the breeding barn, but this is still a cruel blow.

SEVERAL of the leading figures in Irish and British harness racing were asked for their high points and low points in 2022.

Obviously ‘closure of Portmarnock’ kept cropping up. The other responses provide a nice summary of a busy year.

Alan Wallace senior (driver and trainer): “When the horsemen pulled together and promoted meetings such as Ladies Day, the Memorial Meeting, or the Keenan/Galway meeting.”

Bernard McGovern (Scottish follower, ex-bookie): “The VDM in Wales was just brilliant.”

John Boy Roche (young driver): “Winning with One Cool Touch on the last day of the season.”

Adam Corey (young driver): “Double Deuce returning to form in the autumn with a win in a lifetime best time.”

Carmel Stewart (owner): “Ladyford Buck and Ladyford Dollar going to race in America. Both are by our stallion For A Few Dollars More.”

Sarah Thomas (Welsh-based pundit and photographer): “In Ireland, Evenwood Son of A Gun winning the Red John – I was there!’’

Philip (Buster) Gilligan (trainer/ driver): “My first winner in two years with Gamba des Tithais.’’

A highlight of the year - Evenwood Son Of A Gun, winner of the Red John Memorial Final Red John Meeting \ Sarah Thomas