Highs and lows of horseracing

By Rachel Carton

BEST wishes for a speedy recovery to Rathdonnell man Martin Harley who is recuperating after a horrific fall whilst racing in Australia. Martin has been released from hospital after he sustained multiple fractures in a fall at Doomben, where his mount clipped the heels of a rival runner in a 6f maiden. He suffered brain bleeds and multiple fractures including C 0/1/2 in his neck, his lower back, shoulder blade and ribs.

Martin was fitted with an intense halo brace the day after his accident and within hours was walking and climbing stairs unsupported. His cognitive, strength and sensory functioning came back to normal over the following 72 hours.

The doctors and physios are astounded by the determination and strength shown by this man – but jockeys are built different and the Irish even more so. Tough lives produce tough people and you can’t get much tougher than a jockey’s lifestyle. Get well soon Martin.

At the opposite end of the luck ladder is Oisin Orr who is enjoying a successful return to the saddle following his month’s holiday in December. On his first day back on the track Oisin pushed out Dyed In The Wool to a comfortable victory at Newcastle for trainer Richard Fahey.

The Fahey yard is in good form at the moment and Oisin recorded a nice double at Chelmsford on Saturday, kicked off by the diminutive Yesterdays Hero who proved that all the best things come in small parcels when he easily beat his bigger rivals in the 6f maiden.

Capparis then gave Oisin his second win for the evening when taking the mile and two, following a very determined ride from a long way out.

n The county’s hunting fraternity swapped breeches for ball-gowns on Saturday when they enjoyed their annual charity hunt ball in the Villa Rose. The night is a much-loved opportunity for the normally mud-spattered riders to join civilised society, whilst also acknowledging the huge contribution that the area’s land owners provide. A hearty meal gave revellers the strength for a long night with annual awards being the first order of business.

The ‘Lagan Hare’ is a beautiful sculpture awarded each year to a person the hunt club feels has gone above and beyond in their service to the hunt. This year the hare went to Peter Smyth who has exceeded all expectations in his efforts in land preparation, liaising with land owners, schooling of members horses and provision of hospitality.

The ‘Shane Brolly Memorial Trophy’, which is in memory of hunt member Shane Brolly who tragically lost his life in a road accident 10 years ago, went to Amelia Bennet who was chosen as the outstanding under 18 member for the season.

Various other awards for dubious achievements such as ‘most spectacular fall’ and ‘most in need of a wardrobe makeover’ were doled out before the band, Red Alert, took to the stage and had the entire crowd on the dance floor in jig time.