Downpatrick family fun day is a winner

Downpatrick family fun day is a winner

20 July 2022

FOLLOWING a break due to Covid, the Downpatrick Racecourse holiday family day took place at the popular venue last Wednesday and drew a massive crowd to enjoy the action prior to and during the day’s racing.

I was present for the racing but had to wait until the sixth race to find a headline story.

This race, sponsored by Silk Plaster NI, a handicap hurdle, saw a dramatic finish with Fassbender, owned by John Doyle and trained at Sligo by Mark McNiff, coming with a late flourish to snatch victory over Downhill Penny, ridden by Jack Kennedy and the strong finishing Paddy O’Hanlon ridden Important Message.

The winner was ridden by a Mr JJ Gerrard and it was here my story unfolded as the previous week I had noticed the name of the rider and realised it was a name from the past.

The rider had returned from the stewards room where he had received a whip caution before confirming to me in the press room that he had rode as an apprentice based with Dessie Hughes riding two winners.

He then spent a period in England with trainer Tim Vaughan, riding one winner, but didn’t enjoy it so packed up and came home eight years ago.

Trainer McNiff encouraged him to renew his licence as an amateur and as he said at the age of 31 it was now or never after a 12-year absence.

This was his fourth winner, the second over jumps, a good performance following such a long absence.

This race had a thrilling finish but the closest result of the day came in the second race, the Irish Jockeys Mares Maiden Hurdle, with Conor Orr, the Donegal jockey, just getting the Nigel Slevin trained Diamondinthemud home by a short head over birthday girl Rachael Blackmore on the Henry De Bromhead trained Trendy Lady with Neat Locality back in third, SP 9/2, 2/1 fav, 40/1.

The opening race had a poor quality line-up and as usual the recent course winner I Don’t Get It set out to make every post a winning one, but had to be content with second behind Ebasari, ridden by Jack Kennedy, for trainer Gordon Elliott.

The trainer also saddled the third horse Douglas DC, and Guest, owned and trained by Harry Smyth, fourth.

Largest priced winner of the day came in the Cosy Roof (C&C) Maiden Hurdle when 20/1 shot Typical Thomas, trained in Co Laois by James Fahey, made all to hold off the late challenge of Jack Foley on Starzox with Ask Charlie, third. 

For successful rider Peter Smithers it was a second winning ride. Trainer Fahey is one of many brothers that train at present.

The North Down Marquees Handicap Hurdle saw two of the three morning reserves get a run and one of these, Top Basanta, ridden by Conor Maxwell, came close to winning but had to give best to Montel Glory, the only runner at the meeting for Tipperary trainer Philip Fenton.

Local hope Maggie Barrett, bred by course director Peter Magill and trained at Ballynoe by Brian Hamilton, finished third.

For winning rider Niall Moore it was his second success on Irish soil but he rode three winners when based in England with Evan Williams.

Champion jockey Paul Townend made the trip up from Cork for just the one ride at the meeting and he was successful for Co Meath trainer Matthew Smith in the Finding Homes for Ex Racehorses Maiden Hurdle, when he rode Another Choice to success over Echo Pete and recent course bumper winner Howaya CD and E, SP 5/6 fav, 18/1, 15/8.

John McConnell is making a strong bid to be champion trainer at the local track this season but he had to wait until the final bumper race to get on the winners board when his charge, the consistent Rexem, with good amateur Ben Harvey in the saddle, proved to be the very smooth winner over Henhouse, ridden by Cork rider Eoin O’Brien and Glen na Tara.

Only five of the seven that took part in this race finished.

Acting stewards, chairperson Alison Millar, Colin Magnier, Frankie Fitzsimons and professional Peter Deegan.

Brendan McArdle proved to be a very popular parade ring announcer at the meeting doing interviews with winning connections and many are hoping he will be a regular in the future.

The management thank all the day’s many sponsors, large and not so large.

This Friday there is an all flat card at Down Royal Racecourse.