THE Donegal Harriers have well and truly kicked off the new season with an excellent meet at Ballinacross Farm, by kind invitation of Robin and David Canning. The banks of the Foyle were once again a happy hunting ground, with rather fewer casualties than at the opening meet, and members were treated to some excellent sport courtesy of the hard work of hunt staff and willing volunteers, who had prepared the land prior to the meet.
With two fair-weathered meets under their belts, the pack headed to Falcarragh on November 20 to enjoy the hospitality of Manus Kelly and family. Here they faced the foul side of the weather Gods but, as faint heart never won fierce fun, riders braved the wind and rain to be rewarded with some excellent jumping in their pursuit of hounds. The Kelly family were keen Pony Club members in their day, with Manus having served his time as DC of the local branch, meaning the land in the area is peppered with purpose-built cross-country jumps and hunt fences. Walls, banks, drains and drops challenged the field, as they endeavoured to keep up with huntsman Oliver Little and his keen pack.
The Harriers youngest member, Caoimhe Curran was in flying form aboard her pony ‘Indie’ and had no difficulty navigating the various obstacles. This is definitely a partnership to watch in the future. After a few hours of the weather thwarting the efforts of the most diligent hounds’ noses, the riders took the sensible approach of opting to wash off their bedraggled mounts in Ballyness Bay before returning to the very welcome refreshments at Chez Kelly.
One wise young man opting to escape the not-so-pleasant Irish winter weather is jockey Brandon Wilkie, who has headed to Australia for a busman’s holiday. Brandon has opted to gain some valuable international experience, whilst touching up his tan and will experience the very different racing and training styles practiced in Oz. He currently has a 25% strike rate over the past fortnight, following his win on ‘Parys Mountain’.
Donegal’s Dylan Browne McMonagle and Luke McAteer are both sitting on a 20% strike rate, with both riders having scored at Dundalk on Friday past. Dylan had mixed fortunes on the day, with a double of winners combined with a disqualification for weighing in light, while Luke’s winner was a particularly impressive debut run from the Barry Fitzgerald trained ‘Whispering Royal’.
Oisin Orr enjoyed a leisurely few days at The Breeders Cup recently, when ‘Platinum Queen’ ran in the juvenile turf sprint.
Her racing weight was too low for Oisin to ride her, but her owners brought him out to enjoy the occasion and share in the experience.
A short spell back in England saw Oisin score another win for boss Richard Fahey before he headed across to Bahrain to ride for trainer Willie McCreery. In Ireland and the UK, the only flat racing available over the winter is on the all-weather tracks and a number of riders opt to get some international experience rather than face a winter of cold, wet drudgery for limited racing opportunities.
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