Hamilton at double in Tyrella

Hamilton at double in Tyrella

29 January 2025

THE East Down Hunt was blessed with good weather on Saturday as the Norther Region Point-to-Point season got underway at Tyrella.

It was a day to cherish for 17 year-old jockey Sam Hamilton, son of former top amateur jockey Brian Hamilton, as he recorded his first ever double from what is only a handful of rides.

It was also a day to remember for his grandfather, trainer Brian Hamilton Sr, as it was also a first double for him in a short career.

Racing commenced with the G. Curran and Co Ltd Accountants five year-old Mares’ Maiden race and here, Sam Hamilton drove Camlin Park into the lead, going into the last fence, to win in smooth fashion over Norman Huston’s Castlegore, ridden by Oran McGill.

Third past the judge was Paddy Turley’s Waltzing Matilda, ridden by Deckie Lavery, a jockey who guided 8/1 shot Champagne Jury to victory for trainer Gavin Cromwell at Naas last time out.

The Hamilton double came in James Armstrong Auctioneers and Valuers winner of three race.

Bold Fury and Anahilt jockey Tom Kileff set out to make a charge and looked like doing so, only for the Hamilton owned, trained and ridden Yewtree Hill to snatch victory.

The CosyRoof Open race saw another local success, with winner Carnfunnock finishing just ahead Liam Gibney’s Dento Des Obeaux and Milan Forth, ridden by Kevin Healy.

The Dennison JCB race saw schoolboy Josh Williamson maintain his positive local record on his only ride of the day.

He won on Captain P, a horse trained by Cian Collins in County Meath, staving off stiff competition from the Barry Stone ridden ‘Following Orders’ and sponsor Wilson Dennison’s Doctors Hill.

The closest finish of the day came in the Bluegrass and Dengie six year-old Mares Maiden, with Ballerina Dancer, owned and trained by William Harvey, getting the verdict by a head over the Rob James ridden Lucy Jordan with Kitty Ooru third.

For winning jockey Matthew Love, it was his second success between the flags.

Local champion jockey Noel McParlan had to wait until the last race of the day, the Star Bar Geldings Maiden race, to visit the winners’ enclosure.

He rode the Dennison-owned Hurlershill to victory over Squire O’Hara, Spark of Light and Pat Ward’s recently acquired Minella Cristal.

The winner is trained by the owner’s daughter, Caroline Dennison, in Dromara.

It was good to see Frankie Fitzsimons and James Kelly being able to attend the meeting.

The next point-to-point meeting will take place at Kirkistown on Saturday, February 8.