2004/2005 Road Trotting Round-Up
by Jackie Cowan
FIRST of all, congratulations to John McSweeney on his runaway win in the jockeys' title stakes. With what must be an unprecedented number of "jockey of the day" awards, McSweeney finished 16 wins ahead of runner-up, Derry McCarthy, with defending title holder, Micheal Duggan, taking third place.
Well done, too to connections of MACK'S DIRECT, which was awarded "Road Horse Of The Year". This honour was well deserved, as the local-bred (out of Alma Mack) had to work hard in most of his races. Ridden in all by Micheal Duggan, Mack's Direct showed toughness and guts, and this was particularly exemplified at Grange where he got up to collar Mass Attack on the line. Runner-up for horse of the year was He's The Man, followed by Shannonside, and more about this pair later.
Overall, the season was a good one and was blessed with decent weather. I missed Rosscarbery, Skibbereen, Castletownshend, Bantry and Ballylickey. My vote for best meeting would go to Ballydehob , followed by Old Chapel.. Ballydehob, which hosted the All-Ireland achieved a record crowd for the season, along with a great atmosphere, good organization, and extra touches in the form of the ceramic plaques given to every entrant. My only quibble is that the sound/amplification system badly needs to be overhauled.
More to the point, Ballydehob provided a vintage All-Ireland. Congratulations to connections of new All-Ireland road champion, BON DANIEL, which was given a copperplate ride by Derry McCarthy, and which handed John Shanahan yet another All-Ireland. Full marks, too, to runner-up, CASEY B, under Patrick Hill, who got to within a length of the winner, and to FAMOUS HILL and Deirdre Goggin, who finished a close third after a terrible turn at half-way. My own nap in this, He's The Man, coming off seven-out-of seven, had only one other behind him at the line -- but he was racing at this level for the first time.
The races at Old Chapel, while providing no close finishes, were good. The best was the Open where Hello Fella, after a prolonged tussle, finally routed arch rival, Bon Daniel. There was a good atmosphere at Old Chapel too -- we all enjoyed meeting our friends from all over the country and from across the water, and were delighted to see the S4C crew there as well.
Among those that impressed this road season were SHANNONSIDE and YVONNE'S PRINCESS. Shannonside was going for seven out of seven, when incurring an injury in his event at Ownahincha, and ended up 8l second to Direct Rocket. Trained by John Paul O'Donovan, Shannonside had won all his road races easily, and his talent was further demonstrated when he won the big juvenile handicap at Central Track on May 1st.
YVONNE'S PRINCESS (Cam Security/Town End Deb), trained in Kerry by Peter Hennessy, had to work hard in only her first road race (at Dunmanway), but after that, won as she liked.
Finally, a few more observations..... the fan clubs of Deirdre Goggin and Anina Tanno had reason to be pleased with the performances of their heroines over the season. But perhaps the biggest cheer for the distaff was accorded to Noreen McSweeney at Colomane. Back for a few days from Brussels, she was reunited with old partner, Hello Horatio, and the pair romped home in Grade B.
It was disappointing that Bright Sun was sidelined from mid-season, and that Peak's Prophet did not make the line-up in the All-Ireland. Commiserations, too, to the owners of Hiatou Leroux, which died suddenly in March.