News

A good week was enjoyed at Listowel, where all the horses ran well and Tropical Three, Run With The Wind and The Crafty Butcher all won. Its always great to get winners at the Festival and it was particularity nice to win there with The Crafty Butcher who is owned locally by the Cairde Chiarrai Syndicate.

Tropical Three was mpressive and we are really looking forward to her over the coming months.

Racing for this week is at Ballinrobe on Tuesday where Debt to Society runs in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase – he ran a great race at Listowel to finish 3rd on Saturday, and the longer distance at Ballinrobe should be of benefit to him – we are hopeful of a good run.

At Navan on Saturday, Friendly Society and Magical Moon are entered, Magical Moon was unlucky at Listowel making a mistake at the second last when going well, hopefully he can get his head in front soon – he is long overdue a win!

This weekend racing takes place at Listowel – the 7 day harvest festival begins on Sunday with a full national hunt card.  We have 4 runners on Sunday – Magical Moon, Clear Hills – both in maiden hurdles while Cloughmile and Dizzy Rascal give us a double hand in the mares handicap hurdle.  We are hopeful of good runs from all runners – however the ground is going to be quite heavy which may not play to their strengths.

We have a number of entries throughout the week and many of them being first entries of the season – ground conditions will determine what will run.

Elsewhere, we received good news this week that a book which has been written about Beef Or Salmon – entitled Beef or Salmon – Leap of Faith – will be officially launched on Munster National Day – October 14th – at Limerick Racecourse. The book has been written by Donal Keenan and we are looking forward to a very interesting read.  We will have more details about the launch in the coming weeks.

The Galway Festival is taking place this week  – we have 2 runners tomorrow – Run With The Wind runs in the Galway Hurdle and Gate Please in the bumper. Run WithThe Wind – who won well on his last start at Killarney – will be ridden by Adrian Heskin.  The Galway Hurdle is always a hugely competitive race so we are hoping for a good show from him.  Gate Please will be ridden by Derek O Connor, and he wont be without his chance provided the rain stays away.

We have a few entries for the weekend including Friendly Society, Dancing Tornado and Dingaling.  Recent Limerick winner Cuteasafox also holds an entry at Galway on Sunday.
Racing on Monday is at Cork, where we have a number of entries including the great veteran – A New Story, who will possibly be aimed at another race in the Crystal Cup series in France in September.

As we head into August, all the winter horses are now back into training for their upcoming winter campaigns, and we expect to be entering many of them in the coming weeks.

We have had a good run over the weekend at Lisaleen.
At Limerick on Sunday, we recorded a double with False Economy and Friendly Society both winning.  False Economy who was ridden by Ruby Walsh, won very nicely and he will now go to Fairyhouse on Sunday for the Power Gold Cup.
Stable jockey Adrian Heskin gave Friendly Society, who seems to love Limerick, a great ride to win the Martinstown Opportunity Chase very well.
Ballysteen was another who ran well, finishing 2nd, just beaten ∏ length.

The ‘Back in The Saddle Again’ Charity Race, was a huge success on the day.  Kevin O Ryan won the first division on Prince Erik for his former boss, Dermot Weld and the second division was won by Mags Mullins on her own Marlay Park.  A huge thank you to all involved in making the day a success.

At Thurles on Tuesday, Awkward Moment and Dizzy Rascal both won giving Adrian Heskin his first double.  It was a welcome change of luck for both horses, as Awkward Moment was unlucky to fall when going well the last day.  Dizzy Rascal was enjoying her first racecourse success after many attempts – she has been a model of consistency.

Earlier today, at Inch point to point, Tropical Three made a winning debut in the four year old maiden.  She is from the family of Tropical Lake and is a very nice prospect for the future.

We have one runner at Clonmel tomorrow, Fine Presentation – he is a very nice sort and a good run is expected.

Racing this weekend is at Cork and Fairyhouse  – we hold entries at both places.  The point to point is at Quakerstown in County Clare and we also have a number of entries there.

We have a busy weekend ahead, with racing locally at Limerick where we have a total of 9 runners on the day.
False Economy will run in the 2m conditions hurdle and Ruby Walsh, who has won on him, rides him.  A big run is expected.

Gigginstown inmates Ballysteen and Crash also run – Ballysteen in the Novice Hurdle.  He showed a return to form when finishing 3rd on his last run and it is hoped he will go closer on Sunday.
Crash runs in the Grade 2 Novice Chase – both of these are ridden by Davy Russell.
Previous course winner Friendly Society runs in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase and stable jockey Adrian Heskin rides him.
Debt to Society, Made For Sharing and Sherco Sports complete the team on the day.

Craigs Dream and Lend A Hand Son run in the Mid West Spina Bifida ‘Back In The Saddle Again’ Charity race.  Craigs Dream will be ridden by Michael’s son Michael Jnr and Lend A Hand Son ridden by Michael’s other son, Paul.  It is hoped the event will attract a large crowd, as it features some of racings greats including Jim Dreaper, Philip Fenton and Jim Culloty, to name just a few.  All proceeds of the event will go to the Mid West Spina Bifida Association in Limerick and there will also be a raffle on the day aswell as an auction which features some great items including the signed number cloth worn by Big Bucks when winning his record breaking 4th World Hurdle.

Racing for the coming week is at Thurles on Tuesday and Clonmel on Thursday, and we hold entries at both meetings.
There is also a point to point at Inch on Wednesday where we hope to have runners also.

A New Story and Dancing Tornado both arrived back for Cheltenham in good form.  A New Story was unlucky to be beaten by a just a head, however connections were thrilled with the run.  All being well, he will now go to France for the Prix Anjou Loire Challenge on 17th May, where he ran last year.

Racing for the week ahead is at Cork on Thursday, Best Served Cold in a handicap hurdle and Whats Happening and newcomer Gleneleg in the bumper.

It looks like being a quiet weekend, possibly just point to point entries.

Runners this weekend are Ballysteen and Hans Crescent at Naas on Sunday.
The point to point is at Belclare in Galway where we have a few entries.

Dancing Tornado and A New Story will leave for Cheltenham at the weekend.  They both run in the cross country race on Tuesday

Our runners for this upcoming weekend include False Economy who will run at Dundalk on Friday night.  He will have come on from his first run of the season a fortnight ago and will hopefully go close this time.
A New Story is among the entries for the weekend – he holds an entry at both Fairyhouse and Naas – he will most likely go to Naas for his prep run before heading back to Cheltenham for the Cross Country Chase in a few weeks.

This weeks point to point is the East Clare Hunt at Killaloe – we have just two entries, Milan Gold and recent winner Dizzy Rascal.

Ex point to point winner for us, River Maigue, had his first run for new trainer Nicky Henderson at Ascot last Saturday when he finished 3rd in the bumper there.  He is one to keep an eye on.

Preparations are now underway for a charity race being organised for April 1st at Limerick Racecourse in aid of the Mid West Spina Bifida Association, of which Michael is a patron.  The race is for ex jockeys and the line up includes 3 time Gold Cup winning jockey Jim Culloty, Arthur Moore, Jim Dreaper, Tony Martin, Gordon Elliott and Kevin O’Ryan – to name just a few.  It is the only meeting in Ireland on the day, and as well as being a top class national hunt card, it is also family fun day at the track, so it is hoped a large crowd will attend and show support to this very worthy cause.