THERE have been many highlights in Irish harness racing since 2011 when Portmarnock Raceway re-opened following an eight year hiatus.

In no particular order high points included: the re-opening which passed without much fanfare at the time, the euphoria of Vichy de Moem breaking a world record and Meadowbranch DJ qualifying to race in Australia, a gala meeting to mark 50 years of the venue and a triumphant PMU linked meeting at Dundalk.

The past seven days have seen two crucial milestones for trotting in this country – two massive achievements, one on the racetrack and one in Leinster House.

Briefly, Paddy Kane’s Harry Knows became the first ever Irish trained winner on the continent when he scored at Victoria Park, Wolvega, on Friday, April 19th. As if by arrangement on the Wednesday preceding this, Mark Flanagan, Chairman of the Irish Harness Racing Association, led a delegation to address a joint- Oireachtas committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the subject being the viability of a Tote licence for harness racing.

One of the committee members asked “Do any of your trainers ever race on the continent?”

Mark Flanagan replied in a matter-of-fact way that “Yes, one of our trainers is over there at the moment.”

Forty-eight hours later and the Summerhill, Co Meath-born gelding Harry Knows gave the IHRA a huge boost with an impressive, never headed victory in the Friesian town.

If Mark Flanagan needed evidence that Irish harness racing is professional, here it was: a big strapping Irish produced 8/1 winner of a €6,000 contest 700 miles away from home. The fact that Harry Knows has also won three races in America only serves to strengthen the argument. Just like in show jumping or racing, Ireland can punch above its size in harness racing.

Oireachtas

The IHRA chairman put in a herculean performance in the corridors of power on Wednesday.

Officially, an Oireachtas committee was to hear a briefing on the IHRA’s bid for a Tote licence for the sport of harness racing. Actually, the meeting touched upon governance, drug testing, breeding and tackling road racing amongst other subjects.

Chairman Mark Flanagan was accompanied by George McCullough, a director within the IHRA, and Gunnar LaCour from CHRIMS Inc. (USA) who are a tote operator, per se.

Mark had previously pitched to the Oireachtas in 2018 in more of an introductory meeting. Wednesday’s meeting was an important step if harness racing is to become ‘self-funding’ as in most jurisdictions worldwide.

It’s not just every day that a minority sport gets to present to the Oireachtas, especially a minority sport that has survived for 60 years through the players putting their hands in their own pockets.

A minority sport that is often misunderstood but starting to ruffle a few feathers internationally. Ask the driver of Dedic Du Gade has he ever heard of trotting in Ireland?

Feedback positive

There’s not much to benchmark against but it’s fair to say that across all the parties on this committee the feedback was positive about the chairman’s written submission and the question-and-answer session. If you are reading this paper, there’s a fair chance you like a bet. Back the IHRA to obtain a Tote licence if this committee are anything to go by.

Mark Flanagan opened his remarks by saying: “We are not asking for a handout, rather we are asking for a means to self-fund.” He later added that when the IHRA attend the World Trotting Conference, the other member nations’ first question is: “Have you got your Tote yet?”

Some fascinating facts emerged. One committee member commented that, “Harness racing is much more egalitarian than thoroughbred racing.” His take was “only the very rich can own a racehorse whereas anyone could own a trotter.” In fact, it’s not that simple but he was correct, it’s easier to get started.

Joe Flaherty (FF) asked how many breeding mares are in the country? “Around 300” was the reply.

A key tenet of Mark Flanagan’s argument for support was the IHRA’s desire to eradicate road racing, which (obviously) is against all the principles of the IHRA.

Mark stated that videos of road racing do Ireland no favours on the international stage and that a classification of racing could be created to encourage the participants in the illegal racing to race on proper tracks. Certain committee members were keen that animal welfare was promoted and there were probing questions about the drug testing regime.

Gunnar LaCour answered queries about anti money laundering policy should the Tote become a reality and how to identify and help problem gamblers.

Mark Flanagan explained that the IHRA is suffering a delay in the processing of a Tote licence for his sport because there has not been an application for such a licence since 1923 and there is no template for our civil servants to work from.

One of the IHRA chairman’s favourite pieces of trivia is that harness racing was once staged at Croke Park. There was laughter in the chamber as Committee Chair Jackie Cahill (FF) stated that the GAA was unlikely to allow harness racing on its hallowed turf.

One committee member quipped that the unusual nature of the IHRA application could be put into context when we consider that it was W.T. Cosgrave who granted the most recent new Totalisator licence.

The IHRA has applied for funding under the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) but this source has been frustratingly slow. One committee member saw no reason why harness racing should not benefit from the Horseracing and Greyhound Fund but added this “was a topic for another day.”

The IHRA have been told in the past that government would look favourably at the inclusion of the organisation in said fund.

West Cork Independent TD Michael Collins was understandably supportive of the track, currently at planning stage at Lyre, which he described as “out along the Clonakilty line.”

The IHRA chairman was able to fend off most questions by referring to the Indecon strategic review which was ordered by government some three years ago. The general feeling of the meeting was that the IHRA is professional and had all the key issues covered.

Cathaoirleach Cahill closed the meeting on a positive note saying that the committee would write to the relevant minister asking that he could accelerate the application for a licence.

LAST Saturday’s report from Harry Knows race in Belgium (Monday 15th) had the feel of an anti-climax about it.

The Kanes win a lot of races first time out and they seemed confident going into their European mini-tour. With the benefit of hindsight Patrick Kane jnr is now saying: “Harry was fit all right, but he just lacked race sharpness.” Harry Knows was fourth after a tough trip on a sloppy track.

Most of the Irish harness community were tuned to the live stream from Wolvega last Friday night. The race was at 7.32pm Irish time so missed last week’s The Irish Field. Viewers knew immediately as the horses left the gate that the old Harry Knows was back. From ‘the 2 hole’ Patrick kept a hold of Harry as the car pulled away and then let him glide effortlessly past the pole horse to lead.

In his post-race comments Patrick said: “Once he got to lead and set our own fractions I was confident. He was a different horse from the horse beaten in Mons. He was so much sharper.”

Patrick was unavoidably ‘parked out’ in Mons. This time Dedic du Gade got the trip from hell. Just as the leader had done with Patrick in Mons, so Patrick was able to let out a little inch of rein every time the challenger came at him. The race notes will read ‘won cosily’ in Dutch. The winning margin was three and a half lengths in a kilometre rate of 1.15 (a 2.00 mile).

Like a dream

The entire evening went like a dream for the Kanes and made up for the disappointment in Belgium. Paddy snr and his wife Tina brought the horse, while Patrick’s wife Rachael and the children were present. With 15 horses in work, Mark had to miss the second leg of the short campaign.

The Dutch took the Kanes into their hearts. Dutch people generally are a very laid-back breed. Therefore, it was surprising that experienced commentator Hans Sinnige broke into English as Harry Knows pulled clear.

“Go baby,” he shouted, “Harry Knows wins for Ireland!”

“I would like to thank the teams at the Mons track in Belgium and the Wolvega track in Holland, they could not do more for us,” added Patrick Kane jnr.

Swedish trip on the cards

Speaking to The Irish Field on Tuesday past, Patrick reiterated his comments about the horse coming on for the run in Belgium, after all it was the first run in 11 months.

“We went over to test the water, to see where we stood against European opposition,” said Patrick.

Would they have a go in France? “We’ll rule nothing out.”

However, on Tuesday Swedish web site www.sulkysport.se broke the news that Harry Knows should receive an invitation to run in the Sweden Cup during that country’s prestigious Elitloppet weekend. Such a trip would bring to seven the number of countries in which the hardy gelding has raced. The Elitloppet weekend is the last weekend in May.