Dundalk Stadium unearths classic clues in final spring meeting

An action shot from racing at the track in Dundalk. (Pic: Sportsfile)

There was a good crowd in attendance on Friday to enjoy the final meeting at Dundalk until the popular Ladies’ Day meeting on Wednesday July 12th.

They were treated to some good performances, not least from Clounmacon (6/4 fav), who opened her account in style in landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden under Ben Coen.

Plenty went wrong for the filly but she showed tenacity and courage, and then a nice turn of foot in overcoming trouble in running to run out a two-length winner.

Trained by Johnny Murtagh, she is owned by Newtown Anner Stud, whose racing manager PJ Colville said afterwards that they would now look for a stakes race for the daughter of Kodi Bear. She holds an entry for the Irish 1,000 Guineas on May 28th, showing how high they rate this horse.

Holding an entry for the Irish 2,000 Guineas on May 27th is Quar Shamar, who built on his debut run at the Curragh in September to land the Bet In Running On Racing At BetVictor Maiden from the Aidan O’Brien-trained 4/5 favourite, Unless. The winner’s SP was 16/1.

Owned by Zhang Yuesheng, a big supporter of Irish racing, and trained by Jessica Harrington, he was ridden to victory by Shane Foley, who said afterwards, “He’s a very good-moving horse and I think he could have a nice future.” This could well turn out to be a very good maiden and might be worth keeping an eye on.

Aidan O’Brien was also responsible for the runner-up in the card’s opening race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, when Emperor Of Rome (4/11 fav) found fellow newcomer Parkside Boy (10/1) half-a-length too good for him.

Trained by John O’Donoghue on the Curragh and ridden by Ronan Whelan, the winner has a lovely pedigree, being by Kuroshio out of Carry On Katie, who won the 2003 Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

A delighted winning owner Ian Morgan said, “We took a chance on her sire (who is by Exceed And Excel) and we have some more at home by him. He showed good speed there and we might now go for the Lily Agnes Stakes (at Chester on May 10th).”

Recording his first winner as a trainer, with the only horse he currently has in training, was County Dublin-based Jamie Flynn when Storm Eric (9/2) came out best in a tight finish to the first division of the 12th July Ladies Day At Dundalk Stadium Handicap. Jamie also owns and bred the winner.

Ridden by Cian MacRedmond, Storm Eric had a neck to spare over Alfarida, while there was a further neck back to Designer Cailin in third.

Jamie’s wife Aisling was on hand to receive the winner’s trophy and, much as her husband is better-known as a breeder, she confirmed that they were keen to expand the racing side of the operation. This win can only help with that aim.

Racing in cheek-pieces for the first time, Senor Carrots (6/1) ran out a three-and-a-half length winner of the card’s five-furlong handicap on what was his first try at the trip.

Winning trainer Andy Oliver said, “He obviously wants good ground. We worked him against our good sprinter, The Highway Rat, and he can lead him so we knew he had ability.”

His win took Billy Lee onto nine winners at Dundalk this year, one ahead of Jack Kearney and Colin Keane in the Dundalk 2023 jockeys’ championship, although the latter drew level again when Emeric won the Crowne Plaza Dundalk Race & Stay Handicap for trainer Paul Flynn.

The winner was backed as though defeat was out of the question, and so it proved. It is a rare enough event to see an odds-on favourite – his SP was 10/11 – win a handicap at the Stadium.

It’s not the first time that his handler has landed a gamble at Dundalk. As they say, the Longford-based former jump jockey certainly knows the time of day.

Registering a second-successive win at the Stadium was the Justin Carthy-owned Autocrat (5/2 fav), who defied a four-pound rise in the ratings and a step up in trip – which he took in his stride – to win the Bet On The Grand National With BetVictor Handicap under Joey Sheridan.

It proved to be a very good night for the trainer as Bal De Rio also won for him at Ballinrobe.

The second division of the handicap, the final horse-race at Dundalk until July 12th – although greyhound racing will continue each week as usual - was won by Blue Wood (6/1), who was ridden by Alan Persse and is trained by Mark Cahill.

Mark, too, is looking to expand his operation in Carrick-On-Suir in County Tipperary. With three winners from just 13 runners this year, he too is providing a good advert for his skills.