MORFA DUKE, A GREAT CHAMPION
--by Jackie Cowan
It was fitting at Bandon, that, only minutes after Morfa Duke, in his familiar yellow racing accessories, had been eased down on the line, winning the All-Ireland Road Championship easily, John Shanahan retired his great warrior with all his honours. By Sly Heel out of Saunders Gin, thirteen-year-old Morfa Duke had done everything he had been asked. However, he was not the first turf/track multiple champion to win a road title, too, as Red Meadows accomplished this at Colomane in 2000.
Before he came to West Cork, Morfa Duke was already a great horse. Lynn Mould had bought him as a three-year-old, and kept him until he came here. As a four year old, Morfa Duke went from maiden to Open. Across the water, he won heats and/or finals at, among others, Aberystwth, Longnor, Leominster, Pike Hall, and also won at Appleby New Fair, Tregaron and Tir Prince. In 1999, he had 34 starts, and only finished out of the first four seven times. In his final season over, he won 7,575 sterling.
Because of foot-and-mouth, Morfa Duke did not get to Ireland until July, 2001. The following month, he won both the All-Ireland Saddle and the All-Ireland Harness. In the saddle at Ballineen, with Noreen McSweeney up, he outduelled Bright Sun and went on to win easily from that one and Torpedo. In the harness championship at Caheragh the following week, he won his heat on Saturday. In the Final, he was impressive, as he trailed for most, before powering up to second behind Coalford Cobra. In the closing stages, Raymond Shanahan sent him to the front. Heat-winner, Chilli Palmer came with a late challenge, but Morfa Duke prevailed by a length and a half.
The following year (2002), Morfa Duke had been 2nd to Worthy Princess in the heat of the All-Ireland, again at Caheragh. In the Final, Raymond Shanahan tucked him in on the rail behind Ceiron Skipper. At the business end, Hotspur contended strongly to get to second, but Morfa Duke would not yield and Hotspur had to withdraw. In the closing stages, Morfa Duke took over and had to dig deep to fend off Sharpe.
Among other successes, Morfa Duke made it three-out-of-three in the free for all at Camp. Last year was the first time I was at Camp, and Morfa Duke changed tactics here, going to the front early and winning easily from Spitfire. Last term also, at twelve, Morfa Duke was bound to have lost a step. But he showed gameness when winning the Irish Trotting Cup at Ballabuidhe, staying on bravely from Run'N'Jump. At Wexford in the free-for-all, Morfa Duke did not show his usual sparkle, but to finish fourth behind the mighty Armbro Lobell, Tsar, and The Blue Fox, which went on to win the All-Ireland, was far from a disgrace.
I'm sure that the Road All-Ireland was always the target for Morfa Duke. He was 2nd to Stoneriggs Rascal at Ballygurteen, and then on St. Stephen's Day at Drimoleague, easily beat that one. In the only other road races he contested, he was always placed. Usual pilot, John McSweeney, always looked confident in the All-Ireland at Bandon. Getting into things, McSweeney settled Morfa Duke in behind Stoneriggs Rascal. I think Peak's Prophet briefly headed Morfa Duke, but rounding the last turn, it was the Rascal in front of the Duke. On the straight, McSweeney produced Morfa Duke to take it up and they won easily.
Morfa Duke is now with Raymond Shanahan, who drove him to so many great wins, including the harness All-Irelands. Although retired from racing, Morfa Duke will not be idle, as he will be participating in cheval rides, the mount of Raymond's ten year old, Patrick. And without doubt, Morfa Duke, like the other retired champions that take part in these events, will always draw a crowd of admirers.