Music and style meeting at Downpatrick

Music and style meeting at Downpatrick

14 August 2024

PERFECT weather was the order of the day for Sunday’s music and style meeting at Downpatrick Racecourse.

The meeting proved to be a notable one for Ballyclare trainer Billy Bryson as he recorded his first winner in some years when his charge, Augusta George, a regular runner at the track, won the Killultagh Estates Bumper race in the colours of his brother John, the former top amateur rider.

The winner was ridden by their nephew, popular Ballymena jockey, Neil Gault.

Behind for most of the race Neil rushed his mount into the lead as they raced down the hill for the final time, but on the climb to the post, the leader drifted to the stands rail impeding the challenge of Stephen Connor on the runner-up dramatic licence, who had to switch his mount to challenge but the local runner held on. Fortune The Brave finished third.

A steward’s inquiry was called but no change was made to the result but Gault did receive a two-day ban, this being his first offence, not having switched his whip to straighten the winner that was backed from 20/1 to an SP of 8/1.

The Mighty Women Awards Mares Handicap Hurdle saw the top weight Hidden Land, ridden by Kevin Sexton, record her fourth success at the track for Co Kildare trainer Andrew Kinirons.

Cobra Queen kept on to be second under Rachel Blackmore who later left the track in a hurry.

Back in third came My Policy, ridden by Paddy O’Brien, SP 11/4 4/1 25/1.

Trainer Kinirons dedicated the win to the late Neil McCluskey as he recalled that back in 2007 he rode Lucks A Lady to success in the bumper race. This in fact was Neil’s first ever winner.

Richest race of the day was The Congratulations to Pinkerton on winning the Galway Plate Rated Hurdle.

In this race Dollar Value and Alex Harvey set out to make all, but they were challenged at the last flight by Mordor that went on to win under Sam Ewing, who now leads the jockey’s table on four winners at the track for the year. The Big Chap finished third, SP 15/8 fav 85/40 18/1.

The winner is trained by Gordon Elliott and this was his eighth win of the year for him at the track. He then went on to add another in The Shortcross Gin Handicap Hurdle when Up And Out took the honours ahead of Mabel in May and Pettigo.

For successful rider Finn Brickley it was his first success as a professional but he had a couple of winning rides as an amateur, SP 7/2 14/1 7/2.

First race of the day was the ITBA Mares Maiden Hurdle and here Ben Harvey made all on the John McConnell trained Sharp Object to win in smooth fashion over Born In Purple and Local Hope, the consistent She Can Do It, ridden by Ben’s younger brother Alex, SP 11/10 fav 15/8 7/2.

The Randox Maiden Hurdle saw a local success when Step Out, trained at Larne by the absent Stuart Crawford with JJ Slevin in the saddle took the honours over Intense Approach and Alex Harvey with The Mediator and Sam Ewing back in third, SP 2/1 11/8 fav 13/2.

The longest priced winner of the day came in The Shortcross Irish Whiskey Handicap Hurdle when Sinead’s Fancy, ridden by Liam Quinlan his only ride of the day won for Tipperary trainer Stephen Ryan, his first local success.

Mister Vic, trained by Noel Kelly at Draperstown, whose stable is in such good form at present, took second under Jody McGarvey with A Mere Bagatelle well back in third, SP 14/1 12/1 8/1.

Congratulations to Downpatrick trainer Paddy Turley and his wife Mary on the recent birth of a daughter Orla.

Congratulations also to course director Peter Magill and his wife Cecilia on their wedding anniversary.

A word of praise has to go to Colum Polly, who does an excellent job in the kitchen for jockey’s raceday staff press. Nothing is ever a problem to him.

It was sad to learn of the passing at hospital on August 6 of former amateur jockey Richard Tolerton of Lisburn. Richard rode in point-to-points and under rules. After he retired he was involved in showjumping, his daughter Margaret being one of the top competitors for many years. Richard was laid to rest at Legacurry on Monday, August 11. To his family and friends, sympathy is extended.