Two-day festival of racing proves a popular success

20 June 2018

THE first two-day race meeting at Downpatrick in some years took place at the weekend as part of a four-day Down Time Festival of racing, music and culture.

The opening stage on Saturday proved to be a notable one for Wicklow jockey Adam Short as he recorded his first double — it was also a good day for jockey Stephen Gray as he recorded his first success in some time when winning on Shakeytry.

Short got off the mark in the Molson Coors handicap hurdle when riding Shipwreck to a smooth victory over Coole Craft, ridden by Brian Hayes with Liam Lennon’s Maureen’s Star running a best ever race to take third.

The winner is owned by the locally-based Templeburn Racing Syndicate and was a welcome change of fortune for Crossgar trainer Colin McBratney, who fancied his charge prior to the race. SP: 12/1, 8/1, 12/1.

Short’s second winner came in the Down Time Festival handicap chase when he partnered Fairymount Boy to success over top weight Peacock’s Secret with Honest Robert, trained in Tyrone by Mervyn Torrens, third.

The winner was providing Limerick’s Michael P Hourigan with a welcome success, like his father, who was always a supporter of the local track. SP: 11/8 fav, 7/1, 7/1.

The closest finish of the day came in the Patrick Rice Horsebox Sales and Repairs handicap hurdle with the judge having to call a photo before confirming that Shakeytry and Stephen Gray had held off the renewed challenge of Persian Wind and Luke Dempsey by a nose.

Back in third was Hide the Biscuit, trained by Mervyn Torrens for his wife Ann, this one ridden by his nephew, Simon.

The winner is trained in Tipperary by Edward O’Grady, a long time track supporter, who was not present on this occasion. SP: 8/1, 11/1, 9/1.

The meeting saw brothers Paddy and Jack Kennedy both record a winner. First to get off the mark was Paddy when he rode Maple Lawn to victory in the day’s opening race, the Irish Stallion Farms mares maiden hurdle, beating the 8/11 favourite Irish Lass by nearly two lengths with Isle of Destiny third. The winner is trained at Moone in County Kildare by Jessica Harrington.

Jack’s success came in the AJC Group handicap chase when Cecil Corbett, who won the corresponding race a year ago, repeated the feat when beating the Adam Short-ridden Fenlon’s Hill with Bosed Di Alco third.

Cecil Corbett is trained in County Meath by Gordon Elliott, who has a fantastic record at the local track. SP: 12/1, 5/1, 10/1.

The Balloo Vets’ Beginners chase saw another County Meath-trained winner when Cote Tete, trained by Noel Meade and ridden by his stable jockey Sean Flanagan, proved to be easy winners over Bid Bad Brian and Kilbren Gold.

Favourite backers had their turn in the final race of the day when the consistent Stay Humble won the Molson Coors ladies’ pro/am flat race at 5/4. The winner was partnered by Katie O’Farrell, the only professional in the race, beating Global Jackpot, ridden by Lisa O’Neill with Happy Lad third.

The winner is trained in County Carlow by Willie Mullins, who was represented by his own Patrick who may be pushed to win his amateur rider title back again this year, going by the form Mark O’Hare is in.

There was plenty of local success on Sunday and also three more winners for Meath’s Gordon Elliott.

First race on the card was the Bet With Ladbrokes App maiden hurdle and 8/1 shot Hillary John set out to make every post a winning one and did so in good style to win from Touch Base and Sir Bedford Wales in the colours of Ballygowan owner Jonathan Flanagan.

The winner, a recent point-to-point success at Necarne when having a first run since finishing fourth at Tyrella in January 2017, is owned by the Downpatrick-based Up the Hoops syndicate and is trained at Ballynoe by Brian Hamilton.

Hillary John was ridden by Gavin Sheenan, who is Irish born, but is based in England. This was his first ride over the course, which was in perfect condition, despite the recent, long, dry spell.

The HannonTravel.IE maiden hurdle saw a first for the recently formed North Down-based Try Ravenhill syndicate when Ravenhill, bred by hotelier Aaron Metcalfe with champion jockey Davy Russell in the saddle, took full advantage of a bad mistake at the final flight by course winner Turbo to win by two and a quarter lengths with Easy Gold back in third.

The winner is trained by Gordon Elliott and he and Russell then went on to share a double when Count Simon, in the well known colours of Templepatrick’s Mrs Pat Sloan, proved to be a ready winner over Try Again and Ballybrowney Jack.

To make it another good day at what has to be his favourite track, Elliott then took the final race on the card when Carrie Des Champs, with Lisa O’Neill in the saddle, won the bumper by 10 lengths from stable companion Melior, ridden by Declan Lavery. Third here was the Caddy Rose with Gerry Cosgrove’s Rhythm Divine in fourth.

There was success in the Molson Coors handicap hurdle for Tyrone-based Andy Oliver, responsible for the first two past the post, when Touchedbyanangel, owned by Antrim’s Ronnie Graffins, pipped Go Guarantor and JJ Slevin to first place.

The Denis Hogan-trained and ridden Desert Grey was third. SP: 10/1, 25/1, 14/1. Ronnie is a brother of former Turf Club and amateur jockey, Paddy Graffin.

Easy winner of the Download the Ladbrokes App handicap hurdle was Killiney Court, trained in County Waterford by Henry De Bromhead with good three pound claiming rider Dylan Robinson in the saddle. The winner made all the running to come home 10 lengths clear of You Can’t Catch Me and All’s Quiet.

Victoria, trained by champion point-to-point handler, Colin Bowe in Wexford, proved to be an easy winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF mares handicap hurdle under Sean Flanagan, beating Our Rachael and Minnie Dahill.

The Ulster Derby and Oaks will be held at Down Royal at the Friday and Saturday meetings.

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder