Golden Vale (F) at Turtulla on Sunday 19th November.
On the same day that Faugheen made his return to race course action having impressed in the Grade 1 Morgiana hurdle at Punchestown, his former point-to-point handler, Andrew Slattery produced another eye-catching four-year-old winner at the new Golden Vale track at Turtulla just outside Thurles. Beakstown, a son of Stowaway, made all for owner William Ryan to take the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham & Ascot Sales four-year-old maiden under Roger Quinlan by three lengths over Kilbrew Boy. Slattery, who was absent on the day was represented by his brother Willie who indicated the winner who also produced the fastest time of the day was now likely to head to the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham December Sale. Beakstown was acquired by the trainer as a foal at the Tattersalls November NH Sale for €15,000 and is a half-brother to the Grade 3 winning mare, Minutestomidnight.
Roger Quinlan did not have to wait long for another winner at his local track as he steered the Norman Lee-trained Cloudy Day to success in the Ballinroe Transport & Gain Horse Feeds five-year-old-and-upwards mares’ maiden. The daughter of Dubai Destination was having her third start between the flags this season having finished second at Loughrea and fourth at Rathcannon last month. The six-year-old made it a pillar-to-post victory to win by five lengths over Raphena Rose for Co. Limerick owner Michael Hogan who owns her in partnership with his daughter Sarah Hogan. Lee who has 24 horses in harness with a lot of youngsters, stated: “That’s great, any winner you get for her owner Michael Hogan is great as he is a staunch supporter of our yard. This mare was fierce unlucky last year with a couple of falls so she deserved that today. We’ll have a look at a mares’ winners’ race now for her now, if she’s not sold”.
Three Loud Knocks provided another fellow Limerick man in Brian Mortell with his first ever success when he took The Tipperary Cheese Company five-year-old geldings’ maiden on his ninth start between the flags for his owner William Hanly. Ridden patiently throughout by Johnny Barry, the son of Mahler took up the lead after the third last fence and kept on gamely to win by one and a half lengths over Tom Tom Turnaround. On hand to lead back in his winner, a delighted Mortell commented; “We’ve been a long time waiting for that. This horse was knocking on the door a lot last year. He was getting lonely in front there today but he’s a tough customer. He’ll most likely go for a winner’s race now if he’s not sold”.
The father and son duo of Christopher and Joe Daniels enjoyed another winner with their homebred Follow The Moon taking the Lyons Tyre Service & Bridgestone Open for novice riders on what was his sixth career win. Fourth at Loughrea behind A Decent Excuse last month, the twelve-year-old son of Rainwatch made all to win by one and a half lengths over Sir Des Champs in second. Joe Daniels who was ably assisted by his two sons Christopher in the saddle and Richard on lead up duty stated after the race; “All the credit with this horse has to go to my son Richard. He’s super, he does all of the work at home with him and does a great job of keeping right. The horse will probably go for another open in the coming weeks”.
The successful partnership of Robert Tyner and Derek O’Connor further added to their tally of winners when Phone Booth won the Vets & Trainers mares’ winners Of two. The daughter of Catcher In The Rye whose last win was at Laurenctown in 2014, was returning to point-to-points following a spell between the rails and made all for her owner Mary Tyner to win by three and a half lengths over TJ GoodTymes in second. With both Robert and Mary Tyner absent the winning owners sister Catherine O’Driscoll was on duty and indicated that the mare will most likely go for another mares open in the coming weeks or perhaps even a mares hunters chase this season.
The concluding race on the card the Dew Valley six-year-old-and-upwards maiden saw another family success with the seven-year-old Orchard Hill winning for the Tierney family. Second at Lisronagh last month in a similar event, the son of Busy Flight benefitted from an excellent ride from David Murphy to take it up after two out and win by six lengths over Kilkarney Mai. The winning trainer, Ruaidhri Tierney is a well-known jockey’s agent and is based in Kinsale, Co. Cork. Ruaidhri was absent but was represented by his father Finbarr who also bred the winner. Finbarr Tierney reported; “the horse just wasn’t right last year but is on the way back now. He is another bound for a winners or a maiden hunters chase”. Finbarr Tierney was full of praise for the winning rider stating: “David is a great lad who rides out with us three mornings a week. He’s a young lad who is learning very quickly. He gave the horse a lovely patient ride today and is a lad going places”.
STAR PERFORMANCE: Beakstown made all of the running on his way to a debut success where he proved to be the class horse of the race.
VIDEOGRAPHER: Declan Barrett
