2005 Season

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TURF TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN 2005

by Jackie Cowan

Only three meetings were held on Central Track in 2005; Portmarnock did not open at all and Annaghmore closed mid-season The May 1st meeting at Central Track was considered by many to be, arguably, the best one ever held there, while Ballineen (at Central Track) underlined the necessity of keeping this venue. Central Track is needed for the training of young horses, for the exercising of all ages, and for the accurate establishment of times.

As well as May at Central Track, I also missed Connonagh, and the two seminal meetings at Grange and Springhill. There was no Wexford this year, but more racegoers (including myself) and horses from the ITHRF went to Tregaron. What the season showed was that for the harness racing fraternity, the show must go on and new venues were found, and a closer comaraderie forged which can only ensure the vibrant future of our sport.

Before getting on to racing and speaking of the future of our sport, well done to Stefanie Thomson for the success of her brainchild, the showing classes for Standardbreds and Trotting Horses. The two classes, one for mares, and the other for foals, have been well filled. One of her aims is for STAGBI registered horses to get accreditation from the Irish Horse Board. The showing classes are a major step toward this goal, and her aim should be further assisted by the newest member of the IHB, trotting supporter Mr. Joe Walsh.

So, on to the racing, but first of all:

Congratulations to driver, Tadhg Murphy, and to jockey, Deirdre Goggin, who both successfully defended their titles.
And to the connections of The Blue Fox, who also achieved Turf/Track Horse Of The Year, for what I think was the third time. Among his wins were a sweep of Cork's Big Saddle Three (Laddie From Leap, All-Ireland Saddle and Irish Trotting Cup) all with Deirdre Goggin in the plate.

Now, a look at the major meetings I attended:
Whit Weekend: Rain spoiled play on the Sunday and there was an abbreviated card of low and high grade heats on Bank Holiday Monday. Stoneriggs Wizard won the low grade final, while Sharpe lowered the colours of Coalford Jet and favourite, The Blue Fox in the final of the high-grade. This was a very good meeting, very well organized and with a great atmosphere.
Camp: Camp was a two-day meeting this year, but I was only there on the Sunday. The Blue Fox had won the FFA on Saturday, and the following day, won the All-Ireland Saddle championship as he pleased. Best finish of the day at Camp was in the final of class 000/024 when Hillside Dream, contesting the handicap proper for the first time, forged clear of Abbacrombie in the closing stages.
Ballabuidhe: Ballabuidhe provided some good races and overall, organization was improved and there was more of a festive air about. Although The Blue Fox was just touched off by Home At Last in the Grand Prix, the Kelleher brothers had a good meeting. Their Meadowbranch Katie won her division of the Three-Year-Olds, and their Fool's Gold, which had been third in the Grand Prix, won the final of the Golden Mile, both driven by Tadhg Murphy. And as mentioned, The Blue Fox won the Irish Trotting Cup, and was followed home by stable-mate, Newtown Commander. It was personally gratifying when the Ballabuidhe Race Committee inducted Limed Hazard (who achieved 18 unbeaten runs on the course and won the major race there four times) into the Hall Of Fame.
Caheragh: Caheragh once again staged the Murnane & O'Shea Classic for Three-Year-Olds, and the final of this (after heats on Saturday), was won, on the Sunday, by Meadowbranch Katie, who beat two other fillies, Perfect Red and Celtic Dream to land the laurels. And in the high-grade final, Bytheway stole a march on his rival when he arrived with a late challenge to do the business. Also, notably, Young Clemency, talented but inclined to get worked up, broke his maiden, and went on to record a double at Grange - justifying the patience of his connections.

The following merit mention (and further mention):

Meadowbranch Katie who won her heat of the Little Welsh Dragon at Tregaron and who went on to be third behind two outstanding colts in the final;
Stoneriggs Wizard who won a heat of the Welsh Classic but who had traffic problems in the final. Both were driven by Tadhg Murphy and trained by Donal Murphy, for the Kelleher brothers and the Quill brothers respectively -- well done to all the brothers!
Another pair of siblings (equine this time) had a very good season.
Little Spike won the Three-Year-Old Sire Stakes at Dunmanway, having earlier won his age race at Ballineen (Central Track); and
Yvonne's Princess who in a light campaign had four wins, starting with breaking her maiden at Camp; and she was the only ITHRF entrant to win at Springhill.
Disraeli Quest also won four times and these were notable as with a change of trainer and driver, he was stripped of extraneous gear and raced without a head-check, eye shields of any sort, etc.
Destiny's Dream achieved his biggest win to date when he scooped the final of the Paddy Connolly Memorial at Ballabuidhe.
Frisco Titan is the new All-Ireland Champion. I was not at Grange but have been told that he was given an exemplary drive.

To wrap up: In an earlier review of Tregaron, I included the ITHRF horses that competed there; once again, well done to all of you. Of events I missed, I have heard great accounts of Springhill and of Grange - and how encouraging to have two excellent new venues. And with the prospect of Naas ..... we have reason to be optimistic about 2006.