Heather Vitale heading back to Ireland

Dublin, Ireland – It was confirmed today that America’s “Princess of Harness Racing", Heather Vitale, will be coming back to Ireland for the Ladbrokes Vincent Delaney Memorial weekend, August 7-9.

Vitale, who is a third generation horsewoman, is the producer since 1998 of “Post Time”, a weekly half-hour show, sponsored by The Delaware Standardbred Owners Association, that features fun interviews, behind-the-scenes action and, of course, harness racing.

This past year Vitale scored an award of merit in the United States Harness Writers Associations Hervey Awards for broadcasting. The award was for her Ireland feature that was voiced and produced by Vitale, in partnership with Faust Productions, and aired on "Post Time" on CBS affiliate WBOC-TV.

Vitale also hosts PA Harness Week for Comcast Sports and she has covered harness racing for national broadcasts on CBS Sports Net and ESPN2.

“It is great that Heather is coming back again this year,” Said Derek Delaney, who with his brother James, developed the Vincent Delaney Memorial race in memory of their younger brother who tragically passed away in 2011. The race series is now the richest harness racing event in all of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“Heather produced a wonderful piece on her trip here last year,” Delaney said, “And her efforts paid off with a national award in North America. Now Heather is coming back again along with Hall of Fame announcer Roger Huston, the 2015 World Driving Champion, Dexter Dunn, from New Zealand will be here along with Cran Dalgety, the leading trainer in New Zealand. Each year we make Vincent’s weekend bigger and better!”

"Saying that I'm really excited about going back to Ireland is an understatement,” Vitale said. “When I talk about my visit last year to people the one word that I use is 'magical' because I can't think of a better way to describe it.

“From the moment I met Derek and James Delaney,” Vitale explained. “I felt like I was part of the Delaney Family. They could not have been more welcoming and wonderful. I can't get over all the people who come in from surrounding countries to either compete or just take in the race weekend for fun.

“They love their harness racing there!” Vitale said. “I had so many people tell me how much they enjoy watching my shows on YouTube. I drank my first Guinness, watched world champion Irish dancers and even helped the bookies take bets! I'm beyond thrilled that I get to go back again this year!"

For more information about the Ladbrokes Vincent Delaney Memorial weekend visit www.vincentdelaneymemorial.com. 

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink.com