Irish Harness Racing on the Big Stage at Dundalk

The much anticipated Dundalk showcase came off on Sunday 12th June and was largely successful in all aspects.

Under an arrangement whereby the Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) had the use of the country's most modern Thoroughbred facility, the Standardbred followers put on a great show.

Not for the first time, Mark Flanagan, James O'Sullivan and others too numerous to mention within the IHRA deserve great credit for bringing this sport towards the mainstream. The levels of animal husbandry, the fitness of the runners and the turn -outs on display would compare well with any other meeting.

The French Ambassador, His Excellency M. Jean – Pierre Thebault, was in attendance. The Dundalk meeting may have had a few glitches but to criticise it would be churlish.

Emmanuelle Morvilliers of Le Trot, brought a team of French Drivers (and supporters) for the first Ireland vs. France driving competition on Irish soil. The home team won out 64 – 60 in points, but not before the French caused a few scares.

The only Frenchman to manage a win was Sebsatien Hardy from Normandy. He scored on Urbano des Selles from the Billy Roche yard. Billy's usual army of followers gave him plenty of ribbing about being beaten. The well backed Univers Extreme ran second for another Frenchman (Christophe Marie).

In the same way that the Americans have the Buckeye State, the Keystone State etc, every county in Ireland has its nickname. Sunday was a triumph for the Rebel County (Cork) with three good winners and plenty of placed horses.

In the Prix d' Amitie Patrick Hill saved the bookies hides with Audabe a Helene, in good form of late. In the opening race the Brickleys from Baltimore took the red rosette with the pacer Ringo Star. Further down the card there was a Peter O' Sullivan/Attivo moment when Mikey Kelleher won the top grade pace with Meadowbranch Demon, while brother Timmy (who did his best to look neutral!) was working as a TV pundit for a betting chain.

Murdock is a time – honoured name in the game in Ireland. Gavin, Jay and cousin Darren can plan a coup with the same clinical accuracy as their old uncles. Blackwell Hall Star ( B,C and D ) and JMs Hall Star ( E and F pace ) were both warm order favourites, and gave those who whaled in at the odds not a moment's worry.

The big races in Britain look to be within the grasp of these two geldings (both by Hasty Hall (USA) and they remain well handicapped in all – ages races.

Beaten by one of his own charges earlier, Billy Roche took the Prix de l'Avenir with Valiant de Gueham. Another well punted winner on an afternoon that saw the backers have the better of exchanges.

"He makes mistakes, but when he's right he's a good horse." stated the tall boss of Roche Racing Stables. Course specialist Saxo du Marancourt ( Sean Kane ) took the second.

The Prix de Bonheur was won in style by Vichy du Moem. His pilot 'The Iceman' Allan Richardson had earlier won with another 'Frenchy' Udon de Seuil. To date, Richardson is still the only holder of an Irish licence to win at the Meadowlands. Vichy du Moem was last year's Trotter of The Year – can he make it two- in-a-row?

A son of Some Beach Somewhere was raised to win a better race than the concluding Louth Pace, but Breakwater never looked like troubling the jud,ge. Instead it was his fellow American, Fair Enough (by Shark Gesture) who justified good market support in seeing off Awesome Dude (Seamus Quill). Alan Wallace of Newtown Stud trains and drives the improving 4 year old gelding.

The Irish version of USA's Bea Farber, Brenda Hudson, made a much complimented debut as a TV presenter at this meeting. Brenda was well researched and articulate. Could this be a new career when Mrs Hudson (nee Dean) hangs up her boots? Knowing Brenda, she would miss driving, but what an ambassador for the sport she would be.

by Dan Carlin, for Harnesslink

Dundalk results

Race 1 pace 1mile
1st Ringo Star / P.Morgan
2nd Dave's Alibi / N Ryan
3rd Saunders Picasso/ M Goggin jr
8L Sh  2.05.9

Race 2 pace 1mile
1st Blackwell Hallstar/ G Murdock
2nd Ringo Kid / D.Birkley
3th The Governor/ B Roche
2.05.3  1L 11/2L

Race 3 Trot 1,25mile
1st Aubade A Helene / P Hill
2nd Balzac DE Villiard / B Roche
3rd Viking Du Layon /JF Senet
2.43.9  4L 4L

Race 4 trot 1,25mile
1st Vichy de Moem / A Richardson
2nd Urmine De Mai / M Loughran
3rd Vivement Dimanche / B Roche
2.41.6  5L. 6L

Race 5 Trot 1,25mile
1st Udon du Seuil / A Richardson
2nd Balarou Des Iles / F Ouvrie
3rd Tombee Du Ciel / A Wallace snr
2.43.1  3L 1L

Race 6 pace 1mile
1st Meadowbranch Demon / M Kelleher
2nd Camden Tino / G Murdock
3rd Bath Lane / J Richardson
2.05.3  5L 2L

Race 7 trot 1,25mile
1st Urbano de Selles / S Hardy
2nd universe Extreme / C Marie
3rd Venise Du Bois / A Wallace snr
2.43  11/2L. 7L

Race 8 pace 1mile
1st Jm's Hallstar / G Murdock
2nd Brywins Picasso / J Richardson
3rd Coldford silk / S Duggan
4L 2.05.2

Race 9 trot 1,25mile
1st Vaillant De Gueham / B Roche
2nd Saxo De Marancourt / S Kane
Ariane Des Tithais / S Quill
2.44.3 5L H

Race 10 pace 1mile

1st Fair Enough / A Wallace snr
2nd DH. Swift Sunshine /M Loughran & Awesome Dude/ S Quill
2.08.1  11/2L. DH