A to Z of the 2007/08 season
(Mark O'Hare records his 100th winner aboard Ballyholland)
6th October Taylorstown Simon McGonagle kicks the season off with a double for handler Gordon Elliott and Alert The Earth gets the better of Arctic Copper in what is to be the first of his five wins before the Christmas break. Nigel Carolan takes the older horse’s maiden aboard his own Niron Counsel his first winner between the flags. Mark O’Hare records his 100th winner between the flags aboard Ballyholland.
7th October Tinahely Only 43 runners went to post, the smallest number for the season. There was also only one faller. Roger Quinlan and Colin Motherway share the spoils with a double a piece. Some Spanner owned and trained by John Paul Brennan takes the winners race and him still only a 4 year old. Donal Deveraux rides Executive Mariner to his first success.
7th October Castletown Derek O’Conner and Andrew Duff both ride a double. The First of Andrew’s is aboard Aboo Who the mare which ends the season as p2p.ie Champion mare. Senior rider John Quinn renews his licence to ride a winner on his own Sesaro Express then his season comes to a premature end in the last race when falling at the second last and breaks his collar bone. Paul O’Brien rode his first winner aboard the Phillip Dempsey trained Ashfield Present.
13th October Toomebridge Derek O’Connor rides another double whilst Clare MacMahon starts her season with a win aboard Royal Ranger, she later takes the Gain Ladies title with 10 winners for the fourth time in succession. The Gordon Elliott trained He’s A Hotshot is the first horse to take his second race of the year.
(Takeyourpick is the first horse to win the maximun 6 races in the season)
14th October Loughrea Last season’s novice winner, Jack Doyle rides the first of his two winners on his father’s Suirview before he turns professional. Pauline Gavin trains a double which is made all the sweeter as Benalma is partnered by her daughter Sarah who was recording her first winner.
14th October Cregg The Gerry Cully trained Takeyourpick lands his maiden on his way to winning the maximum six races in the season, he is the only horse to go through from a maiden to open during the season.
20th October Loughbrickland The Grey Lord takes an action packed 5 year old geldings maiden when five horses fall four out initiating a double for Mark O’Hare. Luke McNiff gets the 13 year old Younowhat up to take the Open recording his first winner. The Man From Slatt takes his maiden by 20 lengths he then goes on to win two winners races and a Hunters Chase by a total of 80 lengths!
(Alert The Earth wins 5 races before christmas)
21st October Ballinrobe Derek O’Connor rides another double as does John Thomas McNamara. John Thomas goes on to take his 10th western title and finish the season with 499 career winners between the flags.
21st October Lingstown Benny Walsh rides a double including his second win of the campaign on Alert The Earth. Jamie Codd also rides a double and Paddy King kick starts his season with a winner aboard Rathvin Raven on his way to taking the Gain Novice title.
27th October Maralin Derek O’Connor rides another double, his first winner for Wilson Dennison then his second for Graham McKeever who has seven runners during the season of which he records three winners one second and one third.
28th October Coolkip James O’Meara rode She’s A Miler to victory in the mares maiden to record his first winner.
28th October Affane The Dungarvan Hunt stage their meeting at a new track called Affane, and a tough one it is at that as only 22 horses finished in 6 races. Derek O’Connor records his first treble of the season.
(The Man From Slatt takes 3 points and a hunters chase by a combined total of 80 Lengths)
4th November Lingstown Jamie Codd rides a treble and Mark Slevin a double. The Phillip Rothwell trained Montero takes the 5 year old gelding’s maiden at his first attempt he later follows up in a Thurles bumper for the same connections.
4th November Templemore Kevin Power rides a treble, he eventually finishes the season on the 24 winner mark. The Denis Reddan homebred Eastern Surprise takes the 4 year old mare’s maiden at her first attempt under Ross O’Sullivan she later goes on to score twice more. Fergal Moore rides his first winner aboard All For Buttons.
4th November Roscommon Definite Appeal takes the 4 year old maiden giving trainer Willie Murphy an across the card double as The Man From Slatt scored in Lingstown. Green Wellies takes the Adjacent Maiden under Aaron Murphy giving him his first winner. The pair go on to take another point and a Hunters Chase at Downpatrick. Arctic Copper takes the first of his six races for the third consecutive season.
(Drumhirk Lass makes use of her flat experience to take the 4 yr old maiden by 10 lengths)
10th November Maralin The ex flat performer Drumhirk Lass makes use of her racing experience in the 4 year old maiden by going 20 lengths clear, she eventually wins easily by 10 lengths under Noel McParlan.
10th November Dromahane The first of six fixtures to be held at the Cork track. The Eugene O’Sullivan owned and trained An Tseipeail takes the Confined maiden. O’Sullivan eventually ends the season with 26 winners just enough to take the inaugural Easyfix Handlers title.
11th November Dromahane Mikey O’Connor lands a treble. His first winner is for handler Adrian Maguire for owner Colman O’Flynn, who takes the personality award at the end of season awards for breeding the 2008 winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup – Denman. Mikey O’Connor goes on to ride 56 winners and take the southern title. John Barry rides his first winner aboard the Michael Hourigan trained Some Craic.
11th November Milltown A new venue for the Kilkenny Foxhounds meeting.
17th November Loughanmore Willie Rankin landed a double the first of which, Holey Moley he also trained.
18th November Lisronagh A new venue for the Tipperary foxhounds which staged two meetings. A large entry saw 11 races run with the most number of fallers for the season, 44. Derek O’Connor added to his tally with a four timer.
24th November Kirkistown Jamie Codd scored a treble, two of which were for handler Willie Murphy. Codd ended the season with 28 winners in the Northern Region two ahead of Derek O’Connor giving him a first success in the Gain Northern Title. 24th November Boulta ome Craic takes his second win of the season, he later goes on to take three in a row under rules.
(Damien Murphy ends the season with 26 winners and teh Gain Senior championship)
25th November Boulta Damien Murphy takes the final race of the two day meeting aboard Toor Lane, he goes on to ride 26 winners and finish 6th overall. He also takes the Gain senior title.25th November Maganey A massive 12 races see Colin Motherway and Benny Walsh both ride three winners a piece. Sean Byrne rides his first winner on the aptly named Mageney. The impressive 4 year old winner Follow The Plan goes on to land a hurdle race later in the season.
2nd December Ballindenisk Derek O’Connor and Mikey O’Connor both ride a treble whilst Jamie Codd rides a double. French Thyne makes the long journey south from his Antrim base justified as he lands the open by a neck from Arctic Times.
9th December Ballydarragh Colman Sweeney has two winners and a second but the days riding honours go to Benny Walsh with three winners.
15th December Avaune A new track for the United Foxhounds at Avaune saw the largest number of runners for the season, 176. Three riders had a double, Derek O’Connor, Mikey O’Connor and Jamie Codd. Minella For Food took division one of the winners race, making it two from two and still only 4 years old.
21st December Downpatrick the maiden Hunters Chase was divided. Division one went to Green Wellies and Aaron Murphy whilst division two was won by The Man From Slatt and Jamie Codd, by no less than 20 lengths.
(Agus a Vic is crowned Horse Of The Year at the end of the season)
26th December Down Royal The Boxing Day Hunters Chase went to Agus A Vic and Jason McKeown. Agus A Vic ended the season as the champion horse following two more Hunter Chase victories at Leopardstown and Punchestown.
(Paul Kristian becomes the highest rated 4 year old during the season)
30th December Dromahane Paul Kristian took division one of the 4 year old maiden for Richie Harding and Liam Burke, he received what was to be the highest rating for a 4 year old for the season. Derek O’Connor rode another treble. Barrowclough became the third 4 year old to land a winners race. Gearoid O’Loughlin rides his first winner aboard The Cub Wood and Ambrose McCurtin rides his first winner aboard Knockbrack Vic.
6th January Lisgoold Damien Murphy starts the spring season with a bang when he lands a four timer. Three of his winners are aboard horses handled by Jimmy Mangan. River Shanakill was also bred by Mangan, this winner helped him to take the Weatherbys Breeders award at the end of the season with five individual winners. River Shanakill was later purchased by Howard Johnson for Graham and Andrea Wylie.
(Aboo Who takes the inaugral Champion mares title at the end of the season)
17th January Thurles Aboo Who stamps her authority as leading mare when she takes the Hunters Chase at Thurles, beating multiple winner The Man From Slatt and veteran Big Zoomo.
19th January Aghabullogue Mikey O’Connor lands another treble, two of which are for handler Michael Winters. The final race of the day, 7 and upwards mare’s maiden was void due to a starting irregularity.
20th January Killeagh An eleven race card, last year’s senior Champion Paul Cashman lands a treble and things are made even sweeter as they are all trained by him as well. Colman Sweeney, Gerry Mangan and Derek O’Connor all ride doubles. 20th January Kilfeacle Riding honours of the day go to John Thomas McNamara with a four timer.
(Pandorama takes the Gigginstown bumper under Nina Carbery)
27th January Tinahely Colin Motherway lands a treble. 27th January Nenagh Richie Harding rides a treble whilst John Thomas McNamara rides a double. Sharon Dunphy takes the first ladies race of the season aboard Croomgarry Queen for handler Matthew Daly. 27th January Dungarvan Pandorama takes the 5 year old maiden under Paddy King for owner / handler John Halley, he later goes on to win the Gigginstown Bumper at Fairyhouse under Nina Carberry by 22 lengths.
2nd February Tyrella Denis Reddan has a double with two homebred mares, Eastern Surprise and Winning Counsel. Colin Motherway rides a treble. Royal Ranger takes his second open of the campaign; he becomes one of three horses to land the maximum six races in a season. 2nd February Askeaton Robert Jones rides his first winner aboard Flemensford. The Eugene O’Sullivan trained Majella’s Boy takes the open race under his owner Irene Walsh, this is her first winner.
3rd February Naul Two riders taste success for the first time, Pat Donovan aboard the Derek Barry trained Inoma James and Gerard Fox aboard Ground Ivy. A good battle in the mares maiden sees the 5 year old newcomer, Earth Mother land the spoils for owner / handler Ben Arthy. She is later sold to Willie Mullins yard where she finishes 4th in the p2p.ie mare’s bumper.
(French Thyne is one of the leading hunter chasers of the season)
7th February Clonmel French Thyne takes the Hunters Chase for Derek O’Connor and Ian Ferguson.
9th Ferbruary Carrigtwohill Damien Murphy lands a treble the middle leg aboard the open horse Arctic Times who wins by a distance.
10th February Belharbour Derek O’Connor, Gerry Mangan and John Thomas McNamara all ride doubles.
10th February Ballydarragh Without The Bop makes all to take the 5 year old maiden, he follows up with another two wins during the season and is then sold at Brightwells Cheltenham sale for £80,000. Three Amigoes takes the Open under Benny Walsh for handler Liam Kenny on his home turf. Mark Slevin rides a first and last race double. Paul Power records his first winner aboard Gaining Momentum.
10th February Tallow Andrew Doyle rides the first of his two winners aboard the ex park performer Theatre Lane.
10th February Leopardstown Agus A Vic takes his second Hunters Chase of the season beating Climate Control.
16th February Kirkistown Jamie Codd rides a four timer.
17th February Knockanard Derek O’Connor rides a double whilst Damien Murphy lands a treble. Maxine O’Sullivan the 16 year old daughter of Eugene rides her first winner on only her 4th ride aboard The Merry Mason.
17th February Rathcannon Gigginstown House Stud wine both divisions of the 5 year old maiden with Steel Magnate and War Officer both are trained by Mouse Morris and ridden by Kevin Power. Andrew Hogan rides his first winner aboard Tullispark Lad.
23rd February Farmaclaffley The 5 and 6 year old geldings race is divided three ways, each divide sees very close finishes. Division one is won by Diablo who is later sold to Nigel Twiston-Davies and wins two bumpers from two starts. Paul McNeilly takes both divides of the older maiden for handler George Stewart. Owen Mullen takes the mare’s maiden on Heres McGoogan for trainer John Woods, this is his first winner.
(Door Boy helps Jimmy Mangan to take the Weatherbys Breeders award)
24th February Kildorrery Door Boy takes division one of the 5 year old maiden under Kevin Power for trainer Peter Fahey, another winner to add to breeder Jimmy Mangan’s tally. James Jenkins, Derek O’Connor and Ambrose McCurtin all ride a double.
24th February Killaloe John Thomas McNamara rides a four timer. Jonathan Dempsey rides his first winner aboard Jomasoma. Gerry Mangan takes division one of the older maiden aboard Buen Camino but later loses the race which is awarded to Wall Wise and Richard Hannigan giving him his first winner.
24th February Bennettsbridge Conor Fahy takes the adjacent maiden for novice riders aboard Ted Gunter giving him his first winner. Brian O’Connell rides a treble whilst Jamie Codd rides a double. Emmett Raher rides his first winner aboard Boneyarrow in the Open race.
27th February Down Patrick Alert The Earth takes the Hunters Chase under Mark O’Hare for his new connections “Earthlings Syndicate” and handler Roy Wilson. This is his first run for them on route to Cheltenham.
1st March Tyrella Four of the eight runners in the opening hunt race take the wrong course leaving the race to Kildowney Red and JD Moore. Moore then goes on to take the open race aboard Kniaz.
1st March Kilworth Christopher McGrath takes the 7 and upwards mares race for novice riders aboard Champagne Bar, giving him his first winner.
2nd March Lemonfield John Thomas McNamara rides a four timer and Derek O’Connor a double. Three of McNamara’s winners are for the formidable partnership of J P McManus and Enda Bolger.
2nd March The Pigeons Robert Quinn rides a quick fire double for Shane Donohoe. Mark O’Hare also rides a double.
2nd March Tinahely Course specialist Loggan Lass takes the open under Aaron Walsh. Jamie Codd rides three winners and two seconds from six rides, he goes on the take the Gain Eastern award at the end of the season with 30 winners, 11 ahead of his nearest rival Colin Motherway.
2nd March Bandon Liam Burke trains World Shift to take the 4 year old maiden at the first time of asking, he is a half brother to the top class Well Chief. With six races held only three jockeys tasted success Mikey O’Connor, Richie Harding and Damien Murphy all rode a double.
8th March Maralin Jamie Codd rides a four timer, three of which are for handler David Christie. Derek O’Connor rides another double.
8th March Gowran Park The Tetratema is won by Montana Grande, a maiden coming into this race. The point to point bumper goes to the Charles Byrnes owned and trained son of Moscow Society, Mask Of Darkness.
9th March Rathcannon Eugene O’Sullivan trains a treble the final leg secured by The Merry Mason in the Open race under his daughter Maxine. Barry John Foley rides a treble.
9th March Lingstown Jamie Codd rides three winners including aboard Extended Favour in the nomination race over the banks.
9th March Lismore The Roger Sweeney trained Michael Flips takes the 4 year old maiden race under Colman Sweeney, he then goes on to the Cheltenham sale to make £200,000. Presenting Proform wins the 5 year old mare’s maiden qualifying her for the p2p.ie mare’s bumper at Tipperary.
9th March Horse And Jockey The well bred Ifyoucouldseemenow takes the mare’s maiden by a distance.
(The wedding Horse is an impressive winner for Derek O'Connor)
15th March Kirkistown Gordon Elliott trains the first two in the mare’s maiden and The Wedding Horse looks impressive when winning the 5 year old gelding’s race.
16th March Belclare Both John Thomas McNamara and Barry John Foley ride a double whilst Matthew Bowes rides his first winner between the flags aboard Carheenlea.
16th March Ballyragget The 5 year old gelding’s maiden throws up two nice sorts, Division one is won by the Ted Walsh trained Barry Connell owned Bishop’s Lane whilst Division two is won by Colin Bowes charge Traffic Control. Both geldings were having their debut runs.
16th March Cloyne Mikey O’Connor rides a treble whilst James Jenkins and Damien Murphy both record a double.
17th March Punchestown Two ladies battle out the finish of the open contest. Caroline Woods aboard Treybor just gets the better of Maxine O’Sullivan riding The Merry Mason by a neck. Benny Walsh and Ross O’Sullivan both record doubles.
17th March Oldcastle Clare MacMahon and Jamie Codd both ride doubles.
17th March Down Royal The veteran Big Zoomo makes all to take the Hunters Chase for Noel and Sean McParlan.
(Glencree breaks the world record for p2p horse sold at public sale when realising £230,000 at Cheltenham)
23rd March Dromoland both Derek and Mikey O’Connor both ride a treble.
23rd March Lingstown Glencree takes the 4 year old maiden under Barry O’Neill for handler Colin Bowe by an impressive 10 lengths his next engagement is the Cheltenham sales where he breaks the world record for a point to pointer at a public sale when being knocked down to Howard Johnson for £230,000. Barry Browne rides his first winner aboard Milltown Native for handler Brian Flood.
23rd March Durrow Five of the eight races result in tight finishes. Robbie McNamara and J D Moore both ride doubles.
24th March Loughanmore Owner Ronnie Bartlett and trainer Ian Ferguson have a great day with two winners and a second. Owner Wilson Dennison has the first three home in the 4 year old maiden, the feat is made all the sweeter as it is his home meeting held on his land. Robert Quinn rides a treble.
24th March Fairyhouse Pandorama takes the Gigginstown House bumper for owner/trainer John Halley and is ridden by Nina Carberry.
24th March Cork Archies Lad wins the Hunters Chase for handler Andrew Lynch and jockey Charlie Greene.
(Jaquouille and Nina Carberry take the Joseph o'Reilly at Fairyhouse)
25th March Loughanmore Four runners in the hunt race finishes in a dead heat between Sam Gawn and Oh Jackie. Robert Quinn rides another double which gives him the leading rider at the two day East Antrim meeting. Former Enniskillen Campus student, Malachy Casement rides his first winner aboard Bold Cent for handler Ronan Rothwell.
25th March Fairyhouse The Arthur Moore trained Jaquouille beats Royal Blood by a neck in the Joseph O’Reilly Hunters Chase at Fairyhouse.
26th March Inch With the ground officially described as heavy, Ballysassian ridden by Patrick Collins records the slowest 3 miles of the season, 7 mins and 56 secs. Mikey O’Connor rides a double.
30th March Dundrum Roger Quinlan rides a double. On Raglan Road wins the 5 year old maiden for John King and handler Timmy Hyde on his debut he then goes on to land a Punchestown bumper and heads to Doncaster sales where he makes £320,000.
30th March Liscarroll Richie Harding and Mikey O’Connor both record doubles.
30th March Monksgrange Robert Latta rides his first winner aboard the Lorcan Donnelly trained Bubbly Benny and Cornelius McSweeney rides his first winner aboard Back The Bid. Jamie Codd rides a treble and Shane Byrne a double.
30th March Downpatrick Loggan Lass gets the better of the geldings in the Hunters Chase under Aaron Walsh giving him his first winner under rules.
5th April Athenry With the meeting rescheduled and now on the same day as the Grand National there was a depleted crowd. This did not stop the celebrations as land owner Gerry McMahon trained Matties Cottage, ridden by his son William to dead heat with Go North in the winner’s race. Eadaoin Byrne rode her first winner aboard Miss Muldoon.
5th April Dromahane Rathbarry Studs Presenting is the sire of two winners (Quietly Fancied and Thomas’s Gift) The top class sire finishes the season with 39 winners, 12 clear of Flemensfirth to take the Goffs leading sire award for the second consecutive year.
(Presenting Forever smashes the world record set earlier in the season by Glencree. He is knocked down to Howard Johnson for £370,000 at Doncaster spring sales)
6th April Castletown-Geoghegan J D Moore rides a treble and Ciaran Murphy a double. Jack Monday takes his second Adjacent hunt race of the season. Patrick O’Brien rides his first winner aboard Little Inch.
6th April Ballynoe Mikey O’Connor and Gerry Mangan both ride doubles. Takeyourpick trained by Gerry Cully wins his 6th race of the season.
6th April Templemore The 4 year old maiden race goes to the highly impressive Presenting Forever trained by Phillip Dempsey and ridden by Jamie Codd. He is later sold at Doncaster Spring Sale to Howard Johnson for £370,000 smashing the record set earlier in the season by Glencree. Jamie Codd rides a treble whilst Liz Lalor rides a double.
12th April Loughbrickland Gordon Elliott and Jamie Codd team up to take both divisions of the 4 year old maiden race with Shaking Hands and Tchang Goon. Jamie Codd follows up with another two winners. Robert Quinn has a day of mixed fortunes, he rides a winner for Ronnie Bartlett / Ian Ferguson then gets a fall which will see him sidelined for the rest of the season.
13th April Roscommon Colin Motherway scores quick fire double aboard Justforthesakeofit then Johnny’s Pride. Patrick Harris and Monroe Man finish first past the post in the older maiden for novice riders but were unfortunately disqualified as he failed to weigh in, giving the race to Peggy Maddock ridden by Michael Fogarty.
13th April Dromahane Derek O’Connor rides four winners. Arctic Times takes his fourth win of the season under his owner, Trevor Hemmings son, giving him his first Irish point to point winner.
13th April Kilmallock Paddy King rides a treble helping him on his way to the novice title. Benny Walsh and Gerry Mangan both ride a double.
13th April Tallanstown Ian Donoghue rides his first winner aboard the Gordon Elliott trained Lord Landsdown and Fergus O’Connor rides his first winner aboard Golden Storm trained by Eugene O’Sullivan.
14th April Tramore Ashfield Present takes the Hunters Chase by 4 lengths for Paul O’Brien and Phillip Dempsey.
19th April Toomebridge An incident packed 4 year old race leaves Knocklayde Rose to take the honours under Peter Bartlett giving him his first winner as both a trainer and a jockey. The mare also becomes one of only three 4 year old mares to win during the spring season. Derek O’Connor rides a treble and Jason McKeown a double.
20th April Stradbally Andrew Pierce takes the Open race aboard City Hall giving him his first winner. Both Clare MacMahon and Barry O’Neill ride a double.
20th April Ballysteen Derek O’Connor and James Jenkins both ride a double. The ladies open race is won by Risk It Paddy ridden by Jane Foley giving her, her first winner Evanna McCutcheon then takes the mares maiden aboard Mocklershill Lass another first winner.
20th April Ballydurn Brian O’Connell and Michael Fogarty both ride a double.
22nd April Punchestown Wedger Pardy trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by Ross O’Sullivan take the Ladies cup by 14 lengths.
(Oh Jackie takes the La Touche at Punchestown for trainer Stewart Crawford)
24th April Punchestown Oh Jackie trained by Stewart Crawford causes a surprise in the La Touche to beat Wonderkid by two lengths.
25th April Punchestown John Carr and Emmett Mullins team up to take the prestigious Kildare Hunt Club Chase with White Head.
(Arctic Copper and Clare MacMahon take their 6th race of the season, Clare goes on to ride 10 winners and take the Ladies title)
26th April Maralin Cidercourt and John Barry pass the post in second in the hunt race but later get promoted to first. Arctic Copper takes his sixth race of the season under Clare MacMahon.
26th April Punchestown Agus A Vic stamps his authority over the Hunter Chases in the Champion Hunters Chase.
27th April Dromahane Derek O’Connor, Gerry Mangan and Colman Sweeney all ride three winners each.
27th April Laurencetown A massive 12 race card is held. Division one of the 4 year old maiden is won by Western Rose, the second of three 4 year old mares to win during the spring. Jamie Codd and John king both ride a double. Zaffaran Lady takes the ladies open under Evanna McCutcheon.
27th April Ballybunion Patrick Mangan rides a double.
(Presenting Proform wins the p2p.ie mares bumper at Tipperary)
1st May Tipperary The Gigginstown House Stud owned Point Proven wins the maiden Hunters Chase for jockey Benny Walsh and handler Phillip Rothwell. Presenting Proform wins the p2p.ie mares bumper under Mikey O’Connor.
3rd May Taylorstown Handlers Andrew Lynch and Ian Ferguson both train a double.
3rd May Lisronagh The Tipperary Foxhounds meeting at Lisronagh receives the largest entry all season with 363 horses entered. The fastest race of the year is also run at this meeting when Risk It Paddy and Jane Foley take the open in 5 mins 20secs. Pat Doyle, Gigginstown House Stud and Kevin Power team up to take both divisions of the 4 year old maiden with Warhead and Spearman. Kevin Power then goes on to take the older horses maiden for handler Michael Phillips.
4th May Farnanes Pat Doyle and Gigginstown House Stud do it again but this time Kevin Power is aboard to land the spoils in the 4 year old maiden aboard Instinctivise. Mikey O’Connor rides a double.
5th May Dawstown Ciaran Fennessy, Derek O’Connor and Richie Harding all ride a double. Garrett Murphy takes the mare’s maiden aboard Live A Lot giving him his first winner.
5th May Limerick Royal Blood takes the Hunters Chase for Paul O’Brien and Phillip Dempsey.
10th May Athlacca Nickel Creek is a surprise winner of the open run over the banks course by an impressive 10 lengths under Garrett Murphy. Nickel Creek’s last win was back in 2002. James Hannon rides a double.
10th May Downpatrick Ground Ivy wins the hunters chase by ¾ of a length from Doc Martin giving Graham O’Sullivan his first track winner.
11th May Ballindenisk Mikey O’Connor rides three winners. Stephen Keane rides his first winner aboard Tiger Billy in the 6 and upwards maiden race.
11th May Sligo Brian O’Connell rides a treble whilst Jamie Codd rides a double. Shirley McCarthy rides her first winner aboard Regina Lo in the winners of one contest.
16th May Necarne The David Christie charge Farlands wins his 4th race in a row (5th of season) to take the Ladies open under Liz Lalor. Unfortunately when bidding for his 6th win he was fatally injured in Kinsale. Niall Kelly took the last race of the day aboard Isaac Butt and in so doing recorded his first winner between the flags.
(Royal Ranger scores his 6th win of the campaign)
17th May Necarne Jamie Codd and David Christie teamed up to record a double, this was enough to secure Codd the Gain northern title. Royal Ranger recorded his 6th win of the campaign in the open race.
18th May Bartlemy Josh Halley recorded his first winner aboard his father’s King Of Spades in the open race. Derek O’Connor rode a double.
24th May Tralee Jamie Codd steered home Westmeath Bachelor in the Hunters Chase for handler Cecil Ross and owners The Foster and Allen Syndicate.
25th May Clonakilty Derek O’Connor, Ciaran Fennessy and Gerry Mangan all rode two winners.
25th May Stradbally Helen McPhillips took the ladies open race aboard Bewleys Best, the race was not without drama as a loose horse carried the two leaders Jack Monday and The Till Inspector wide after the second fence loosing at least 25 lengths. Jonathan Harty steered the ex flat performer Strident home to land the spoils in the older maiden for handler Saul McHugh, both jockey and handler were recording their initial winner.
31st May Kinsale Brian Linehan recorded a double whilst Leonora Lynch recorded her first success aboard Be Frank in the ladies open for trainer John Joseph Murphy and Brian Toomey recorded his first winner when steering home Foxy Flyer in the mares maiden.
1st June Ballingarry Another four winners for Jamie Codd.
1st June Kinsale A double for Derek O’Connor and Mikey O’Connor. The 4 mile open is won by Volcanic Rock for handler John Staunton.
(Derek O'Connor - 2007- 08 Champion Rider)
2nd June Ballingarry Derek O’Connor finishes the season with yet another treble giving him a new record, 94 winners in a season – can he get the 100? Jamie Codd finishes with a winner for Phillip Dempsey leaving him in second spot with a record in itself – 81 winners and the winner of two regions.
