NRC member Colin Malone has kindly agreed to update the club newsletter and web site with his personal racing diary in Ireland during the year.

Irish Champion Day Leopardstown


Cometh the day cometh the horse, Sea The Stars was the big pull of the day at Leopardstown on Irish champion’s day. Leopardstown is one of the best tracks around, not far away from Dublin it lies just of the M50 from my base it takes a couple of hours.

The course itself is a lovely course, with plenty of facilities, great viewing and plenty of space to move around in, E20 to get in was a fair price for the racing on offer.

On arriving at the course I met Tom Lee who was working for RTE that day, a quick look at the days racing found us agreeing on a few points.

I had arranged to meet up with good friends Chris and Mary Pitt who were over for the week, Chris was doing interviews for the BOS magazine and Mary was taking pictures for the magazine.

Liptons tea were sponsoring the best dressed lady to the tune of E5000 a nice prize to win. On entering the course I was given a cup of their fruit tea, due to the fact I can not drink anything hot without sugar in it I ventured to the nearest cafeteria. Have to say it tasted like lemsip an acquired taste I think.

On to the action, the first race was a maiden won by Aiden O’Briens You’ll be Mine, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, I had picked out What A Charm of John Oxx’s, but the horse was virtually tailed of, she was a beautiful looking filly and I am sure that something was a miss as she had finished third in her first run. The race did not look anything special.

The second race was a group 3 which Poet duly ran away with; he has improved no end this season and gave the boys a quick double.

The third race was a group 1 for fillies, it was not a great race and the field could be whittled down to three, Again, Heaven Sent, and Rainbow View. Again ran a shocker; maybe the ground was against her as she won the guineas on bottomless ground. Rainbow View put the disappointments behind her to win easily from Heaven Sent.

The next race was won by Hard Rock City, who I had seen win there as a four year old, at the rewarding odds of 16/1.
Then came the moment we had been waiting for, the big race of the day, Sea The Stars was odds on to win his 5th group race of the season, only Fame and Glory and Mastercraftsman were likely to give him a race. I don’t like backing odds on but could not see him getting beat. The race was run at a fast pace, with Mastercraftsman and Fame And Glory heading into the straight trying to get away from Sea The Stars. I was lucky to watch the race with Chris in Bet Chronicles box high in the stands, with a great view, as the mighty horse started his run the stands erupted, you could feel the floor vibrating under your feet, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, (The last time that happened was when the ill-fated mare Dawn Run won the Gold Cup) He cruised past them to win easily. He put two very good horses in their place.
He was paraded in front of the stands, myself and Chris had made our way to the winner’s enclosure, but the roars could be heard from afar. He was then brought into the winner’s enclosure, again to raptures applause. What struck me most was his temperament, with all that was going on around him, he was as cool as a cucumber taking everything in his stride and the mass of photographer’s tripping over each other had no effect.

Paddy Power threw a docket in to my hand offering 7/4 for the Arc, William Hill went 2/1, a great price as it turns out.
The presentation went on for ages as the interviews were plenty, Tracey Piggott was standing next to me, and they had brought his silks in for the next race as time was pressing, so he had to get changed in the enclosure. He had a tankard in his hand which had been presented to him Tracey said” is that all they gave you Mick” ”yes” was the reply, to which I said “he will be alright he does not drink much these days” ,a rye smile and a nod of the head from Mick gave us a laugh. I said to Tracey “what would the old man say if he had got that, “he would have just grunted”

I had spoken to Ger. Lyons during the day, I had been a big follower of Love Lockdown who was running at Kempton that day, I thought he was a big price at 10’s to which he agreed,” we will be in the first 2, we should not have run him over 5 furlongs last time”, he duly obliged backed down to 7/2. Follow Gers horses on the all weather as he has a fine strike rate.

The seventh race was a maiden, there were words around for Dynasty, Chabal and Noll Wollop, Chabal of Jim Bolgers beat Dynasty of Aiden’s who was odds on, and Noll Wollop ran a nice race just behind them. Chabal has gone on to finish just behind Kingfort who is now one of the favorites for the Guineas. Noll Wollop has since won a Curragh maiden, but the form was let down by Dynasty poor run at Newmarket. Chabal has since been bought by Godolphin, have they picked up a red herring?
Tony O, Heir had told me his nap of the day was Via Con Dias in the last, which duly obliged at 9/2 under Johnny Murtagh.
What a great day to have seen an Irish Champion to run on Irish turf , since then he has gone on to win the Arc with another brilliant performance, the debate will go on to how good he is.

A horse I have mentioned in the past Dahindar of John Oxx’s looks ready to win keep an eye out for this one.

Well done to everyone at Leopardstown for getting the race on, I hope I will see another horse as good one day, before I head for the skies.

GALWAY RACES

For those that remember a couple of years ago, I did an article on Galway races. How things have changed since then. The Celtic tiger as it was called here was still roaring at that time, unfortunately it has now become a purr, as the economy has taken a deep hit.

At that time the sky was a wash with helicopters flying in with race goers from all directions. Now there were just a few coming in. The crowds were down on previous years, which was to be expected. Prices remained the same as they were two years before.

My first day racing was on the Wednesday, which is Galway plate day. I thought I would walk the course as there had already been 2 days racing. The weather had been atrocious here for quite a while. The ground had taken a fair pasting and large divots were there to be seen. The course management had deiced to move the rails out as the week went on to bring in fresher ground, in the circumstances there was little else they could do. It was amazing that there was seven days racing that week, given all the elements, but well done to them for achieving this.
The first winner was the now well known combination of Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins, who saddle Tawaagg to win at odds on, he did not have a lot to beat, but did it o.k. . Most of the races are competitive as shown with Steve Cappel @12/1 and Charleville @20/1 taking the next two races. Blackstairmountain then gave Willie Mullins a double.

It was then on to the plate, one of the few English runners in the week Roby De Cimbre from Paul Nichols yard started favorite with Ruby on board. He had drifted in the betting as the vibes were not good for the horse. He did not really jump or travel well, and the writing was on the wall a long way out. Washington lad made a bold bid for home, but he was collared heading for the straight by the winner Ballyholland and Knock On The head, the front three pulled clear, with Ballyholland winning @16/1. Washington lad jumped very well and is a horse to follow. The last race on the card went to Dermot Welds Precious Gem @ 5/4. She is a big strong looking filly who will come on for the race, and is one to keep an eye on. Most unusual for me but I backed the three short price favs as I could not see much in the races to beat them...

On the way out I bumped into Dermot Weld, I asked him about the filly who he thought a lot of, but that he was to run another nice filly on the Sunday called Easy Mate, but would have liked to have got a run into her first. She ran very green finishing second, but duly obliged at Dundalk next time, one for the notebook. The only helicopter there was waiting to take Dermot back to the Curragh. Goodwood tomorrow, back for Galway, at the weekend and then of to Chicago, were his next port of calls.

Also spoke to James Lambe who had won the day before with Natal the former Paul Nicholl's inmate, it was no surprise to him that the horse won .The investment of £28,000 had near enough been got back with this win. He has a string of 40 horses, but sends out plenty of winners.

Friday evening was my next port of call, the weather had changed once again, with a mixed evening, some heavy showers making the going testing, the first race on the card saw Back Me Up win at @11/1 the favorite Media Queen was given far to much to do, finishing 6th and is better than that. Dan Noir won an open looking maiden @20/1 in the second race. In the next race I backed Kahuna e/w as I remember it running well at Galway in the past. It led from pillar to post putting in a great round of jumping to win @7/1.

Drunken sailor was a good winner of the next and has had a good season; probly will find it hard next year as his handicap rises. The heavens had opened by now and the ground had become testing, everyone took cover, what made me laugh was that some of the seats in the stand had got soaking wet, one of the security people insisted that all who were standing further back should sit on them. He looked amazed that no one took him up on his offer.

The next race was a maiden; Johnny Murtagh got first run on Viceroy Of India to just hold on from the odds fav Sublime Talent. There was not much in the race, so I do not think that the form is of much value. The next race was won by Few Are chosen @ 8/1 and the last race by Bahrain Storm who had also won the big hurdle earlier in the week.

A hard nights racing with the weather making life difficult, for all around

To sum it all up, a good weeks racing considering the elements with some good performances, crowds were down, apart from ladies day, which attracted 42,000.

Could not get my head around the fact that children were charged E2 to come in; surely things have not got that bad.

THE CURRAGH DERBY DAY

It had been a while since I had been racing to the Curragh , it was the same day that Sinadar won the English derby. I will always remember it, as the horse had been trained across the road by John Oxx and Ladbrokes ran out of money on the course, to pay out his band of followers. Meaning Sunday that I had to find a shop on the way to the airport to get my winnings, oh happy days.

Nothing much had changed to the layout, the entrance fee had been dropped from E50 to E40, probably the only complaint about the day.

Parking is ample as we came in at the bottom end of the course we were able to park near the grandstand, a short walk took us to the entrance. As we walked up Aiden O’Brien and his merry men were walking the course , making those last minute decisions.

The weather was good which allowed plenty of fillies to dress up for the day, as most of these days have big prizes up for grabs for the best dressed lady.
There had also been the idea to set up the foods of Ireland where a vast number of restaurants and hotels were allowing you to sample the food they serve, E 20 got you
Three tickets or three portions as it worked out. So it was one ticket each and a split of the last one. Plenty of choices, and something different on a racecourse, a good idea.

It is a well laid out course with plenty of facilities, good viewing and as the crowd was not heaving , plenty of room to walk around. Having read the reports about some of the trouble on uk racecourses , it is nice to report a nice relaxed atmosphere.

The Curragh is probly the least of the of the 3 Derbys that excuses can be made, as it is a fair running track, at Epsom you hear the excuse that the horse did not handle the bends or the canver and in France they don’t really race till the last 2 furlongs, so all the horses can be on top of each other.

The race itself had lost some of its sparkle with the withdrawal of Sea the Stars, as the rematch with those behind him in the Epsom derby had looked a mouthwatering clash. Johnny Murtagh had choose to ride Fame and Glory 2nd at Epsom, as the horse he rode Rip Van Winkle had been laid out for the Coral Eclipse, but would run into Sea the Stars in that one. The race was run at a serious pace with , Rockhampton leading to the 4 pole , Golden Sword then took it up, I had been told that he was working very well, so had a bit e/w at 14/1 as he had run well in the derby.I also backed at 5/2 taking out the first 2 in the betting Fame and Glory and Masterofthehorse,which I thought was a good price.

He stretched clear opening up a fair lead but from well back Fame and Glory collared him inside the last furlong , with Mourayan finishing third .One of the main points of the race was that Johnny never hit the horse once with the whip, but he definitely needs a fast run race. Will he get that in the Arc what a race that could turn out to be. Mourayan had started favorite without the first 2 in the betting , heres one for the Brain’s ,when was the last classic winner to wear blinkers?, that was what I said to the bookie, if Mourayan had won. Others in the race Masterofthehorse seems to be going backwards and has since joined Di Mountain and run poorly, Gan Ahmras looked on the small side to me and will struggle to win at this level.

The weigh in was performed in front of the stands which was a great idea as you can get a great view of the proceedings without having to move after the race. But you need a good day for that one
The supporting races saw course specialist Benbaun win ,now trained by Kevin Ryan,
getting the better of Snafell and Dandy Nicholls Inxile.

Aiden O’Briens Alfred Nobel turned in a nice performance betting some decent sorts this is an improving sort which I am sure we will see a lot of.

Famous Name also put up a nice performance against a field he was well capable of beating ,due to some of his performances in better races,.The handicaps will always be trickey at the big meetings, but Truckers Delight sent fav backers home happy in the last.

All in all it was a good day, only groan is that I thought it should be cheaper to get in, but I believe that is the case with many other events, so racing is no exception.

Onwards to Galway as they say.

Wexford Races

Reading Clement freuds journals,one of them is set out "four things to die before dying",getting to Wexford races would be a long way down the list.

My better half wanted to go to a horse show in a place called Stradbally, as a few of her friends were competing.

A quick look at the racing calendar showed Wexford was on, as it was in the same direction but further on,it looked like a good opertunity to visit the course.

From Galway it would be near on a 4 hour drive ,on nearing Wexford there were plenty of signs telling you when the meetings were on , but no signs for the course.

Parking near the course we wandered to the course entrance. Admission was E15, for the quality on the card it was probly to much. I always like to walk around a course to see were everything is , this did not take to long,as the course is very cramped. After my first wander round it occurred to us that there was not an on course bookmaker, i.e. Ladbrokes, Hills etc.I cant remember when that happened before. There were a row of sheds along the back wall, which included the members bar and offices,they looked like old stables, the parade ring is very small, and there is no pre parade ring.

The track itself is a tight turning track, with sharp bends, like many tracks in ireland you need to be handy as it is very difficult to come from behind.Viewing was excellent and the normal big screen was in front of the stand.

The first couple of races were maiden hurdles Charlie Swann's Hot Oscar took the first race with Osborn winning the second for Samus Neville, Energiser and Lady Tess, will probly win maidens in the future. The feature race of the day was the New Ross novice hurdle, Willie Mullins had coffee tea or me fighting it out with End Of The Affair for the favourites position,who had run in a much better race than this at Punchstown - but neither had any answer to the winner Turf War, who could be called the winner a long way out.
Iit would be hard to give a mention to anything else on the day, as the supporting races were poor.
There were plenty of bookmakers in attendance, but the lack of one of the big boys being there it was hard to get to see races from other tracks, which was a major low.

Quiet a lot of the tracks have their bookmakers in a square formation,with a pole with a stand with 4 televisions, with a small canopy over them.
I cant see the logic in this, if it pours down with rain you are going to get soaked if you stand there, if the sun is shining then you cant see the screens as the glare comes back of them.

All in all i thought the track was probly the worst track i have ever visited, it definatly needs bringing into the 20 century, it was shabby looking and is far to outdated. needless to say i will not be in a rush to go there again.

Onwards and upwards to the next course

Colin Malone - July 2009

Naas Races

I am not in the finishing straight of having been to all the course in the UK,I have managed to do 36 courses,so a few to go if I am to join the elite
band. It will be much harder to achieve now that I am living in Ireland, so I have turned my goal to the Irish racecourses. This was the first visit to the course, it is about a 2 hour drive from my base,so we head off in plenty of time.Like everyday out you need good weather,for a change we got it, if you know Ireland then the four seasons are rain,rain,rain and rain.If you are racing here make sure that you have a map with the little fella on the red horse, which shows you where the courses are,as signposts to the courses are non existence. Naas is shadowed by its bigger neighbours the Curragh and Punchestown, but it is no back number. Parking was good we parked near the entrance. Enrance was 15 euro not to bad for the racing on view,plenty of facilities available.

The course is a tight course with a stiff uphill finish,viewing is excellent,as you can see the whole course from the stands and I know some people do not like
the big screen on the track, but it is must for me.

A couple of tricky handicaps on the card, you either love or hate them, but some quality races to go with them. Ger Lyons horses have been running really well and he supplied Johnny Murtagh with the first winner of his treble with Leandros, Ger also had Dohasa in the race but was taken out when well fancied. Dandy Nicholls sent over Inxile to win the next race, but the horse to take out of the race is Dahindar of John Oxx who will come on for the run after a year off .

I became a big fan of Love Lockdown after her first run, backing her to win her maiden next time, she duly won again beating Beethoven of Aiden's who battled well , as i said to Aiden as he passed me,who replied you are right he did battle well,he did.I am sure he will pick up a race soon.

Compensation was soon found as lilly lantry showed a nice turn of foot to win easily, giving Johnny his second winner,Kitty Keran ran well in second but needs a bit of cut in the ground to be seen at her best.Johnny brought up his treble on David Wachman's Lagoon who won very easy, the ground was very quick, which suited Lagoon, since beaten on heavy ground.

The sad news that Vincent O'Brien had passed away was announced on the course, one of the greats well ahead of his time. A minute silence was held with the now added clapping at the end , May he rest in peace.

So a good days racing was had ,well worth the visit, one let down was the lack of signposts for the course, get them up Naas.
A good meal and a couple of ciders finished the day of well, onwards and upwards, aother course beckons.

Colin Malone - June 2009