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NEWS BITES AIRO updates & news
GRAND NATIONAL SUCCESSES
The fi rst fi ve horses home in the Randox Grand National were trained in Ireland. Rachael Blackmore once again made history being the fi rst lady jockey to win the race, the 173rd running, by expertly guiding Minella Times to victory, owned by John P. McManus and trained by Henry de Bromhead. 150/1 Freewheelin Dylan led from pillar to post to win the Irish Grand National for his delighted owner Sheila Mangan and local trainer Dermot McLoughlin and jockey Ricky Doyle.
DUNDALK WINTER SERIES AWARDS WINNERS SPONSORED BY AIRO
Horse with the most wins – Togoville made history for owner Patrick Joseph McCann by recording his 10th win at Dundalk, three of them in 2020/21. Horse with most points – Sunset Nova for Men of Forty Syndicate trained by Andrew Slattery.
COVID TESTING CENTRES
Cork, Leopardstown, Punchestown and Fairyhouse racecourses used for Covid testing.
NINA CARBERRY DANCING WITH THE STARS
It was announced in December that Nina Carberry will swop her saddle for her dancing shoes and battle it out with a host of celebrities in the TV hit show Dancing with the Stars..
Bites NEWS
NATIONAL HUNT CHAMPIONS 2020/21
■ Owner: John P. McManus ■ Trainer: Willie Mullins ■ Jockey: Paul Townend ■ Conditional Jockey: Simon Torrens ■ Lady Amateur Jockey: Jody Townend ■ Amateur Jockey: Patrick Mullins
FLAT CHAMPIONS 2021
■ Owner: Mrs Sue Magnier ■ Trainer: Aidan O’Brien ■ Jockey: Colin Keane ■ Apprentice Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle
FRANKIE DETTORI COMES TO TOWN ...
Frankie and his UK Weigh room colleagues Jamie Spencer, Tom Queally and Shane Kelly came to Bellewstown Races for the Direct Aid for Africa Barney Curley Memorial Race in September. Dettori duly won the race on the Johnny Murtagh trained Trueba much to the delight of the huge crowd gathered for the fl ying dismount.
GORDON ELLIOTT RECORDS 7-TIMER AT NAVAN
Gordon Elliott creates history at Navan winning seven from the eight races on the card. What a day for the Co. Meath handler, his owners and staff.
AIRO supports the Irish EBF Connolly’s Red Mills Auction Series. A trophy will be presented at the Punchestown Festival 2022 to the leading owner of the series.
CHELTENHAM 2021
Irish trained horses dominated the 2021 Cheltenham Festival with 23 winners, 20 different owners, 10 trainers and 13 different jockeys. Rachael Blackmore made history by becoming the first lady jockey to win the Leading Jockey title and Willie Mullins won the Trainers award. Henry deBromhead created history as the first trainer to win the three major races, the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Flat season Best Turned-Out League sponsored by the Irish Thoroughbred Welfare Council, each yard won €3,000.
Category A: Jim Bolger Coolcullen Stables, 83 wins from 318 runners. Category B: Michael Halford Copper Beech Stables, 55 from 168 runners. Category C: Kevin Prendergast Friarstown Stables, 21 from 57 runners.
Dream team Honeysuckle, Kenny Alexander, Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead win their 13th race on the track. Celebrating 100 years
n Navan and Ballinrobe racecourses. n HRH The Aga Khan Studs in Ireland
Pat Smullen Jockey’s Room unveiled at The Curragh Racecourse.
PAT SMULLEN – CANCER TRIALS
The Charity Cancer Trials Ireland are still being very well supported in memory of Pat Smullen. €145.000 was raised in September when over 330 people took part in the Coast to Curragh charity cycle ride from Laytown to The Curragh over 155km. Declan McDonogh, Donagh O’Connor and colleagues from the weighing room paid an emotional tribute to Pat by singing with the Newbridge Gospel Choir the well-known song Stand By Me to mark his one year anniversary.
141 WINNERS
Colin Keane sets new record for Flat winners ridden in a season.
NEW MANAGERS FOR NAVAN & LIMERICK RACECOURSES
Ex HRI Ownership Manager Aidan McGarry took the reigns at Navan Racecourse during 2021 while former General Manager of Sedgefield Racecourse Emma White has just started her new position in Limerick Racecourse this January.
In December, all the stars past and present came out to support the TREO EILE Pro/Celeb Showjumping classic which was held at Jag Equestrian. Jockeys David Russell, Patrick Mullins, Danny Mullins, Rory Cleary, Colin Keane, Bryan Cooper and exjockeys Joseph O’Brien Katie Walsh, Paul Carberry and David Mullins joined eventers and young riders in 10 teams of four vying for the silverware. We’re looking forward to next year’s event already.
RACHAEL BLACKMORE CLEAN SWEEP OF AWARDS FOR 2021
2021 was an epic year for Rachael Blackmore and the Irish Racing industry. Her achievements on and off the track were outstanding and she received due recognition at all the awards ceremonies this year. n RTE’s Sportsperson of the Year n BBC World Sports Personality of the Year n Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year n HRI Racing Hero
