Portmarnock

THE footballers won the Sam Maguire, one of their favourite sons bowed out as a GAA pundit and a fine young driver recorded the first treble of his career on Sunday 27th. Of course, the county is Kerry, and the driver is Kenmare born farrier Oisin Quill, who guided two pacers and a trotter to the winners’ circle on a busy 13-race card at Portmarnock on Sunday.

Oisin got off to a great start when he drove Destin Du Larre to beat his nemesis, Jonny Cowden on Celui La Laye. Oisin had 20 yards of a start over the Mallusk runner and had the wit to kick on early. Despite the best efforts of Cowden, Destin Du Larre was gone for all money.

Oisin’s second win was easier, especially as two of the five declared were scratched. Newtown Killian won this maiden and is still owned by the Wallace family. The four-year-old is the second winner by Total Truth in as many weeks. Whether Alan Wallace tells the total truth when he is selling a sulky, is a matter of opinion!

Oisin came in for a catch drive on IB Sweet Candy Girl for the Tadhg Murphy barn, in the two-year-old fillies. The daughter of Sweet Lou won in 2.06.6. She is named after a top filly in the USA owned by the Murphy’s friend and owner Bill Donovan.

The colts’ division of the two-year-olds went to Ayr Harbour, owned by the Maughans and driven by The Cooley Magician, Martin Loughran. The winner was misnamed as ‘Ayr Balmoral’ in last week’s report.

It is always more enjoyable to report on a young driver getting it right in a race as opposed to when things go wrong. John ‘Boy’ Roche, got lured into a battle the previous week. On Sunday, he bravely went to the front again with his game gelding One Cool Touch. He was left alone on the front end this time but had to give ‘the Touch’ a couple of reminders at the 5/8 pole and yet kept enough up his sleeve to hold off Newtown Alana with the gallant Leah McNevin.

Also on the card there was a steady stream of winning favourites. Anglesey Fall Guy (Mark Kane) was one winning ‘jolly’ although he did give backers a few anxious moments with repeated breaks.

Mark was in the bike as stable number one Patrick was visiting the in-laws (i.e., Mr Bousfield who was celebrating his centenary in Appleby).

John Richardson got his customary winner when Immaculata (4/5) returned to winning ways in the four-year-old trot. The mare had been a bit hot in her recent runs and JR had her calmer on the day to hold off the strapping Iron Paddy (Ronan Norton).

Quiet day

Even-money Churchview Camelot (Alan Wallace jun) took out the Black Horse Supplements three-year-old pace. Sweet Sunset was second for Gavin Murdock, on what was a quiet day for the Annaghmore yard. The time of 2.00.9 confirms the promise that this full brother to Churchview Frankel showed at two.

Speaking of Churchview Frankel (4/7), the now four-year-old put in an impressive first run in a betting race to win the top-grade pace in 2’02. The time suggests that some of the runners in the front line were not slain. The winner should be good enough to compete with the best in Britain, if driver/trainer Bernard Nicholson travels him.

Bernard is no slouch in the training ranks, and he won the third race when Harley Lee shed his maiden tag and beat the journeyman Urbano Des Selles (Billy Roche). It was a double on the day for Cootehill based Nicholson and his wife Gail.

All-the-way

Coreo Fligny scored an all-the-way victory for trainer Aidan Caffrey and catch driver Joseph Caffrey, a cousin. John Richardson normally drives Coreo Fligny, but he was required for Maxie Collins’ Besame Mucho, who put in a improved run in third.

Eoin’s uncle Donal Murphy won the A and B trot with Duc d’Arry. Donal was content to track JR on Epopee Du Layon and swooped at the clubhouse to pass her. Gavin Murdock arrived on the line with Extrem Ryld to force a photo. A nose was called as the winning distance. The runner-up has a serious turn of foot and will win races if he stays down.

Sean Kane had a rout in the three-year-old trot aboard Just In Time. With Just in Time, Just Like Mam and Just Like Dearbhla all in the same race, it’s no wonder that commentator James Griffin called the race a tongue twister.

Sean is picking up hefty prize money with this young Trotteurs Français. However, it would be no surprise if the Mooreside outfit were to use some of their winnings to fund a campaign in France, a long-held dream of Sean’s.

Two wonderful sights at Appleby

RACEGOERS at the Kit Bousfield Centenary Meeting in Appleby, Cumbria were treated to not one but two unforgettable moments on the day. Between race eight and race nine a beautiful four-in-hand brought the birthday boy around the track. Coachman Mark Carruthers briefly handed the reins to 99-year-old Mr Bousfield, much to the delight of the crowd.

In the Top Grade Final Merrington Moving Up trailed 80 (yes 80) yards and yet was in front with a half a lap to go. Once again Rocker and Alexis Laidler and their pampered stallion provided an ‘I was there’ moment. Merrington Moving Up will be hard to beat in Lyre (20th August).

O’Reilly records a double

Bishopsland

MATTHEW O’Reilly from Drimoleague took the driving honours at Bishopsland Harness Races on Friday night when he recorded a double.

Get Me Out Of Here set the ball rolling in the A to D pace. Share A Smile set the early fractions with Get Me Out Of Here in a close second. Turning for home Get Me Out Of Here finally hit the front and eased to a four-length winning margin from the gallant Share A Smile who lost nothing in defeat.

O’Reilly completed his driving double on Spartan Warrior in the Grade G pace. At the turn for home Moorside Jason went off stride and lost his chance. Spartan Warrior took advantage of Mooreside Jason’s mistake. Even though IB Rowling and Porterstown Aled were closing, Spartan Warrior was not for catching and won by two lengths.

“My father bred Spartan Warrior. He is out of Elizabeth Ann our own broodmare. We’ll keep him going and probably aim him at the three-year-old grass championship in Lyre on The Red John Memorial Weekend in August,” stated winning driver O’Reilly.

Fine form

Cian O’Reilly, a cousin Of Matthew, is in a rich vein of form at present and he notched up another win on the night in the E to F pace, which went to Rodney Camden. Approaching the final lap O’Reilly made his move on Rodney Camden but was caught wide on the outside of the closely bunched field. In a blanket finish Rodney Camden got the verdict by half a length to Rhyds Panache with Ayr Majesty a short head back in third.

Comete Des Landes followed up on last week’s win in Lyre when landing the odds in the four-runner A to D trot. Duccio and Bibi Dairpet were rolling along in front and Donal Murphy was happy to sit in, just off the pace. I

n the final 150 yards Comete Des Landes made his move on the outside and was not over exerted to win by a length from Duccio.

O’Mahony reversed the placings with Donal Murphy in the three-runner low grade trot. Dinah Washington led all the way and when the challenge came from Banderillo Piya the winner answered every call staying on for a one-and-a-half-length winning margin. The winner is trained in Dunmanway by Jeremiah O’Mahony who owns the mare jointly with Waterfall based Shane Crowley.

After a break of three years the famous Ballabuidhe Races return to Dunmanway on Sunday July 31st and Monday August 1st with heats of The Grand Prix and Paddy Connolly Memorial on the Sunday with finals of both and a full supporting card on the Bank Holiday Monday.

Details of all results and entries and forthcoming meetings can be found on www.irishharnessracing.com