"IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR................."

Jackie Cowan - Road 2006/7

Well, season anyway. The only meeting I missed was Ballydehob, and I was sorry to, but it could not be helped. I enjoyed all other twelve meetings, and the weather, except for a hailstone shower here and there, was not too treacherous. The season had a really good mix, from showcasing talented youngsters starting off, to keeping us hanging with the triumphs (and otherwise) of the marquee names. For the first time ever, we had a female one-two in the jockeys' title stakes (no need for a leading female category this year!). Add to that another upset in the All-Ireland, and last but not least, an intriguing 2007 champion road horse. To paraphrase race reader,Teddy Browne (during the All-Ireland at Old Chapel), "This is what road racing is all about."

And now, congratulations to:

NOREEN McSWEENEY, new road champion jockey. The Drimoleague rider opened her seasonal account at Ballygurteen with a win on Glan Teifi, and ended it similarly with Hilton's Genius at Ballydehob. She achieved twenty wins in all, which included three three-timers, and was awarded "jockey of the day" six times. She also won the All-Ireland with Fidlin at Old Chapel, and more about that, later.

Well done, too, to:

DEIRDRE GOGGIN, who finished runner-up. She also started her winning sequence at Ballygurteen, where she brought her own Oreanna home, the first of four wins that the Sable Matters mare achieved. She was "jockey of the day" twice and recorded two three-timers. She forged a great relationship with newcomer, Hilltop Tuck, and more about them, later.

Congratulations to:

GLAN TEIFI ('02, Armbro Harrier/Sanuders Eloise) - 2007 Road Horse Of The Year.

Glan Teifi made his road debut at Ballygurteen, where he easily won the novice. Going for three in a row at Durrus, he was badly hampered at the turn, but got back into things to finish half-a-length second behind Commander Matt. He won his next four starts, and he was ridden in all his races by Noreen McSweeney. He had won the Three-Year-Old harness championship at Caheragh in 2005, and his wins in 2006 included Camp. Well done to owner/trainer, Jeremiah O'Mahony - it should be no surprise to anyone to see Glan Teifi playing a starring role this coming turf/track season.

HE'S THE MAN was runner-up with five wins, which he accomplished in Grade B, Grade A and flying miles. Congratulations to all connections.

And now, a look at some stand-outs.

FIDLIN, under Noreen McSweeney, sprang a shock in the All-Ireland at Old Chapel on 25th February. The race seemed to be all about joint-favourites, The Blue Fox and Coalford Victory, who had not met since their epic battle at Drimoleague. It has been said that the pair cut each other's throats in the All-Ireland, but it is hard to see what either could have done, given the nature of the most-important race on the winter circuit, and their own racing styles. Fidlin, was was 2006 champion road horse and who was second in that year's renewal, was always lying handy. Getting serious, McSweeney, who had never ridden the chestnut before, had to decide whether to go or not. Go she did! Hilltop Tuck and Deirdre Goggin got going late to land runner-up in front of Coalford Victory. Well done to "Mr. All-Ireland", John Shanahan!

Among horses: TONY'S DREAM - a smashing filly who dazzled in novice and who is sure to go far; FRISCO LADY, undoubted queen of trotters, and the one who would win "The horse I would most like to take home"; COMMANDER MATT for his gutsy performances which earned him four wins and places; HILLTOP TUCK, who threw the top level scene wide open, and who, along with Teadies Dream, handed owner, Christy Galvin, a great season.

Among races:

Grade A at Drimoleague, undoubtedly, and deservedly, the race of the season. The Blue Fox, with Micheal Duggan in the plate, had easily won his debut at Ballygurteen; and was sent off at risible odds. The roan was less than fluent at the turns and Coalford Victory looked in charge on the run-in. But the Fox was not done with, and coaxed by Duggan, found more to not only peg back Victory, but to win by four lengths. After that race, which was talked about for weeks, everyone was looking forward to another meeting between the pair. But this did not happen until the All-Ireland.

Grade A at Goleen: Here The Blue Fox was odds-on favourite and heading for home on the difficult course, looked the winner. But Hilltop Tuck, with Deirdre Goggin up, had other ideas, and with determination, reeled in The Blue Fox. In this race, full marks were given to Fidlin, who seemed to have no chance, but who got back into it to fill the frame.

Grade A at Skibbereen: Remarkable for the surprise result. Fidlin was favourite, but Newtown Commander and Aaron Sweeney took command at the off and were never headed. Fidlin seemed unhappy on the going and finished third behind Just Flash.

Grade B at Ballylickey/Kealkil: A ding-dong at the business end between eventual winner, Home At Last, and Frisco Lady, who was racing at this level for the first time. Never putting a foot wrong, she just failed to peg back Home At Last.

Others that impressed were Blue Campari, and the early efforts of Stoneriggs Wiseman. It will be interesting to see more of Vyrnwy David and Red Cam will have benefited from his road season.

Best meeting would have to go to Old Chapel, Bandon. As well as the All-Ireland, it featured a good supporting cast of races. Well organised, and with reat hospitality for all after the races. Ownahincha was also very enjoyable, with a festive atmosphere and a couple of unexpected results.

And now, roll on the turf/track season!