THE Kane family from Trim experienced the highs and lows of harness racing last season. Harry Knows won nine races in 2023, working his way up from the lower grades to winning the All-Ireland Series Final in September.

Rhyds Scoundrel was similarly dominant in the pacing division winning all the major races in both Ireland and Britain. The Kanes intended sending him to race in America.

Unfortunately Rhyds Scoundrel died following a freak fall at pasture in the autumn. On a happier note, Harry Knows shipped out to the US around the same time. He is three from five competitive starts at the time of writing.

Harry Knows is a ‘French trotter bred in Ireland’ and is by far the most successful of this type so far.

Patrick, a farrier, was leading driver several times when he was starting out in the 90s. He regained the title in 2021 and 2022 usurping no less than John Richardson himself.

Brother Mark, an equine dentist, shares the training duties while their father Paddy senior is still heavily involved.

The two stable stars are gone, one in a good way, the other tragically. The show must go on and here follow five pacers which Patrick has earmarked to run well in 2023.

Interestingly, they also bought Rhyds Scoundrel’s younger full-brother in 2021 so there would be a certain justice if he turns out to be useful. ”Frank Sinatra’s brother couldn’t sing a note‘’ is a much used quip when well related yearlings are being haggled over.

“It wasn’t a conscious decision to have no pacers this year,” explains Patrick “but we’d prefer to concentrate on higher end pacers than to take a French trotter in the ballot system.”

Rhyds Shady Affair (GB)

3yo g See and Ski - Rhyds Hasty Affair

He is a full brother to Scoundrel, enough said. We left him unraced at two and this could be the making of him. He is staked for all the big races.

If anything he is taller than the other horse. The dam was kept for breeding by the Wrights of Rhyds Stud. He did his first fast work this week.

Immortal John (GB)

9yo g Immortalised – Duggans Angel

My brother Mark’s horse. He is a tough, consistent type.

He should pick up his share of races as he is not killed off his present handicap. He raced 20 times last season.

Ski From The Top (Ire)

3yo g See and Ski – Tip Top Matters

The dam was a decent race mare for us and we went back to the fountain head, See And Ski.

He was lightly raced at two because he was immature. With normal improvement he will be a nice horse. This fellow has real speed.

Angelsey Hall (GB)

2yo f Hasty Hall – Angelsey Dawn

The Angelsey prefix was coined by Alan Blackwell from that island.

When he died his widow asked could we keep the name going in his honour and we are delighted to help. She is from one of the later crops of the late Hasty Hall.

I have driven loads of Hasty Hall horses, they find their speed at two.

Coalford Jimmy G (GB)

2yo g Henry Hill – Coalford Surprise.

He is from the first crop of Henry Hill. I’m not sure what colour he is registered as but he is as black as it gets. He is bigger than average and will be aimed at the Juvenile Series.