Image © Healy Racing
Joey Dunne enjoyed a memorable afternoon at Durrow on Sunday when riding a career-first treble, and the Meath native is now targeting a personal-best tally before the end of the season.
The 23-year-old partnered Mossy Fen King, Colegram and Sworn Duty to victory on the card, bringing his season's haul to six winners and leaving him on course to surpass his previous best of seven winners, achieved during the 2022/23 campaign.
“Hopefully I can beat that now. If I could get to ten winners it would be great,” he said.
Dunne got his afternoon in Durrow off to a strong start aboard Mossy Fen King, who justified the confidence of connections to land the five-year-old geldings’ maiden in what was his first ride, and first winner, for Eamonn Doyle.
“He was the most experienced horse in the race, but Eamonn fancied him big time. Things hadn’t really gone right for him before and he didn’t handle the heavy ground, but he showed what he can do there.”
His second success came aboard the Paul and Andy Pierce-trained Colegram, who made all of the running in the five-year-old mares’ maiden.
“I fancied her big time. She had improved a lot from Cragmore. She’s a hard mare to get fit, but she was bouncing at home and I was very confident going there.”
The treble was completed by Sworn Duty in the mares’ winners of one, although she made harder work of it than expected.
“She was probably my best chance on the day. She was a bit lazy and the ground might have been a bit quick for her, but when I got stuck into her she picked up well. She was doing it fairly easy in the end.”
The rider’s recent run of form follows a couple of quieter seasons, something he admits came down to losing focus rather than any physical setback.
“There was no real reason for it, but I lost a bit of interest. I got heavy during the summer and I wasn’t going to come back riding, but I got my weight right again and things are going well now.”
Ian Donoghue has played a key role in that turnaround, providing both opportunities and support.
“Only for Ian, I probably wouldn’t be riding now to be honest. There were nice horses there to ride and that helped me get going again.”
Although he had previously ridden an across-the-card double at Castlelands and Borris House in March 2023, Dunne recorded his first two-timer on the same card at Bellharbour earlier this season.
Based in Dunboyne, County Meath, Dunne keeps a busy weekly routine, riding out for a number of handlers while travelling regularly to pick up opportunities.
“On Mondays and Tuesdays I’d be in with Ian Donoghue, Wednesdays I could be anywhere really, just moving around between different yards, and Thursdays I’m with Peter Flood.
“Fridays I’m down with Paul and Andy Pierce, and then I’d often do a bit of schooling for lads in Wexford in the afternoon if they need me. Then on Saturday mornings, if I’m not racing, I’m back in with Ian again, so I’d be with him three mornings a week and then around other places the rest of the time.”
Dunne is keen to build back up his presence under Rules alongside his point-to-point commitments.
“I’d like to get going on the track a bit more again. When I started I was mainly riding on the track, but now it’s more point-to-pointing. I enjoy mixing the two.”
With 21 point-to-point winners and 14 successes under Rules to his name, Dunne’s renewed focus is clearly paying off and he has every chance of having his best season between the flags yet.
With 21 point-to-point winners and 14 successes under Rules to his name, Dunne’s renewed focus is clearly paying off and he has every chance of having his best season between the flags yet.
