HORSES THAT CRACKLED AT CHRISTMAS A look at

Paddy & Deirdre Corkery, Sarah Kinsella & Ian Power after Master McShee won Royal Kahala won for owners Winning Ways Starlet Syndicate

Howyabud and Jack Foley with owner Charlie Carter and trainer Mary Ellen Doyle Sharjah and Patrick Mullins with trainer & Dad Willie L-R: Paddy Kennedy & son Eoin, Jack Kennedy with Ginto, Charlotte Crozier (groom) Bernie & Shay Morris and Gordon Elliott.

James Conheady

HORSES THAT CRACKLED AT CHRISTMAS

Galvin winning jockey Davy Russell and owner Ronnie Bartlett

RACING AT CHRISTMAS IS ALWAYS TOP CLASS AND SHOWCASES ALL THAT IS FANTASTIC ABOUT NATIONAL HUNT RACING. THE FESTIVE BELLIES ARE FULL, THE SUPERSTARS ARE ALL LINED UP AND ALTHOUGH CROWDS WERE RESTRICTED FOR THE 2021 FESTIVALS, REGINA BYRNE TAKES A LOOK AT OWNERS WHO HAD PLENTY TO SHOUT ABOUT ON THE RACETRACK.

Tried and Tested

Leading owner last season JP McManus enjoyed nine festive winners with Bridge Street, Broomfield Burg, Epatante, Fighting Fit, Glens of Antrim, Icare Allen, Priory Park, School Boy Hours and Womalko all carrying the green and gold silks to victory. Joe and Marie Donnelly’s Shishkin continued his winning streak at Kempton, while Haut De Couleurs and Al Boum Photo kept their flag flying here at home. Cheveley Park Stud enjoyed two Gr1 successes with Ferny Hollow and Envoi Allen at Leopardstown. The performance of Sir Gerhard in his maiden hurdle was far too impressive to ignore and En Beton rounded off another successful year for connections at Punchestown. Slimmed down Gigginstown Stud still managed to land the spoils on three occasions with Eric Bloodaxe, Daly Tiger and Gr1 winner Fury Road all gracing the winner’s enclosure. Leopardstown maestro Sharjah provided owners Rich and Susannah Ricci with his sixth Gr1, his fourth consecutive one at the Christmas Festival, while Allegories De Vassey’s winning Irish debut was definitely one worth noting. Teaupoo’s valiant performance in the Gr2 Limerick Hurdle secured owners Robcour’s third win over Christmas, while Simon Munir & Isaac Souede enjoyed seven festive successes.

New Kids on the Block

Bective Stud’s growing empire of top-class horses was stamped with Gr1 glory when Ginto won the Lawlor’s of Naas Hurdle and Fakir D’Alene’s win in Down Royal on St. Stephen’s Day was also eye-catching. Caldwell Construction Ltd seem to have hit the ground running with three Christmas successes including Gr1 winner Mighty Potter, Gr2 Fil Dor and rounding off the year with Pied Piper’s win at Punchestown.

Bumpers

Co Carlow trainers seem to have found the Midas touch when training bumper horses. Willie Mullins saddled four, Embassy Gardens (Sean and Bernadine Mulryan), Facile Vega (Hammer & Trowel Syndicate), The Nice Guy (Malcolm Denmark) and Redemption for Tim O’Driscoll who enjoyed a double over the Festive season. Barry Fitzgerald provided owners Michael & Ruth Foley with success at Limerick with Montiep, and Youralwaysdreamin took another festive bumper for trainer Patrick Foley and owner-breeder Michael O’Dowd.

Christmas Crackers

Danny and Willie Mullins landed the spoils at Kempton in the Gr1 King George with Tornado Flyer (T F P Partnership) and followed that up with victory in the Relkeel Hurdle Gr2 with Stormy Ireland (FB Racing Club) at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Galopin De Champs (Mrs Audrey Turley), Klassical Dream (Mrs Joanne Coleman) and Galvin (R A Bartlett) were very impressive winners and this Christmas there were 14 syndicate winners, including Gr3 winner Royal Kahala for Winning Ways Starlet Syndicate. Former Kilkenny great Charlie Carter provided Mary Ellen Doyle with her first winner on the track with Howyabud in Leopardstown. Master McShee’s Gr1 win in Limerick was sensational for owner-trainer Pat Corkery, while 125/1 shot An Forghas provided owner-trainer-breeder James Conheady with the ultimate Christmas present.