STONERIGGS RASCAL - THE KING OF THE ROAD

by Jackie Cowan

Stoneriggs Rascal was only lightly campaigned in 2006, and although he was entered for the Grade A at Ballydehob on Easter Sunday, April 16th, connections decided to retire him before that race. And there he stood, impeccably turned out as usual, looking every inch the champion he was. He was not a bit fazed by the ovation he received -- after all, cheering, clapping and adulation was what he was used to. And not only on foot of his many wins, but because the "Rascal" captured the public imagination in a way that a road horse has not done for decades. He won the All-Ireland at Rosscarbery in 2002, and was "Road Horse Of The Year" four times. He achieved this first in 2001, as a Grade C and then Grade B horse, and earned the title the following three years as an Open horse.

Stoneriggs Rascal was ridden in all but two of his races by Christine Murphy, whose sister, Regina Daly, was the owner, and whose father and brother, Sam and John Burchill, were the trainers. Another sister, Jenny O'Driscoll, was responsible for the many "best-turned-out" awards that he won. An 1995 horse, Stoneriggs Rascal is by Today's Man, out of the great race-mare, Worth Seeing, herself by the Canadian-bred, Armbro Mystic. The Burchills acquired him, along with Foster's Way, from Anthony Haughan in the autumn of 1999. Although bred in the purple for harness racing, Rascal did not find his calling in this code. He was lightly raced during the turf/track season of 2000, but encountered some problems, which changes of tack did not altogether alleviate. But what also emerged was that Stoneriggs Rascal was first and foremost a front runner.

His first race on the road was in the Grade C at Ballygurteen in 2000 where he dead-heated with Cellar Bar, and then he went on to win at Schull. He was beaten at Drimoleague on St. Stephen's Day but went on to win at Durrus on New Year's Day, 2001. Newly promoted to Grade B, Rascal won at Goleen, defeating Perfect Dream. But that worthy champion turned the tables at Bandon, when he won the All-Ireland, while Rascal finished runner-up.

I think that Stoneriggs Rascal may have first contested and won Grade A at Ballygurteen in 2001, and went on to win well at Drimoleague. The All-Ireland was early in 2002 - January at Rosscarbery. There was an unprecedented crowd at Rosscarbery, with politicians all over the place - was it an election year? Who could forget the sight, on the causeway for home of Stoneriggs Rascal "first, the rest nowhere", to quote a famous commentator (about Eclipse) from the eighteenth century. Many people feel that a close finish defines a good race, but another school of thought would have it that a show of clear superiority also makes a great race. Later that season, Rascal went on to win at Ownahincha - one of his favourite courses. With a twenty-yards' handicap, he won at Bantry and with thirty-yards, also captured The Pike.

A mere list of races would be tedious, so just a few more will be mentioned. On St. Stephen's Day, 2002, at Drimoleague, Stoneriggs Rascal was collared on the line by Black In A Flash, under John McSweeney. But the defending champion went on to win at Durrus and Colomane. Again distance-handicapped, he won at Castletownshend and Ownahincha. Ante-post favourite for the All-Ireland at Ballydehob, 2003, he was a late withdrawal. Already plaited up, he was found to be in the throes of colic when they went to load him. At Ballydehob that Easter Sunday, disappointment rippled through the crowd at the news, and the Blue Riband lost some of its allure. (But it was still a good race, as Kerry entrant, Hello Goodnight, with Aaron McSweeney up, held the late effort of Peak's Pretender and John Sheehy).

In the All-Ireland at Old Chapel in 2004, Stoneriggs Rascal was overhauled in the closing stages by Morfa Duke, which was immediately retired after the race. Rascal was sidelined for all of the 2005 season. having gone up to Troystown Hospital for an operation. The new season always starts before Christmas at Ballygurteen, but Stoneriggs Rascal did not race until Drimoleague. Here he was a well-beaten third behind Fidlin and Bright Sun. On to Durrus on New Year's Day, 2006, where he was pulled up at half-way. A break followed, for veterinary treatment, and the all-clear from Troystown. At his next appearance, he was third at Dunmanway, and second at Old Chapel, where he was ridden by Micheal Duggan. In the All-Ireland at Ownahincha, with Anina Tanno in the plate, he led for most, but at the business end, ran out of steam and faded to fifth.

Stoneriggs Rascal will live out his retirement with the Burchills. It is likely that he will be seen again at cheval rides, in which he has participated in the past. As well known as he is, people would often inquire at these events, "which one is Rascal?" The racing public usually loves a winning female jockey -- look at Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh -- and so it was the case with Christine Murphy, who was so often to be seen in the Castlehaven colours, leading the pack. Those blue and white hoops will undoubtedly be seen on the road again, But Stoneriggs Rascal leaves behind a set of racing plates that his successor will find difficult to fill.