By Dan Walsh
While there were no point-to-point last weekend the action returned at Aughabullogue, Co. Cork, this afternoon and it was a memorable occasion for Conor O’Keeffe, (27), who rode and handled his first winner -Meetuatnine by one length in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old mares.
Owned by Sean McCabe and running in her third race Meetmuatnine is for sale having provided Conor O’Keeffe, Harveystown, Taghmon with a day to remember.
Conor is the older brother of top jump jockey Sean O’Keeffe who had a double at Fairyhouse this afternoon on Autumn Evening (7/2) for Jessica Harrington and Daily Present (9/4) an eight and a half lengths victory in a maiden hurdle for Paul Nolan’s Toberona stables near Enniscorthy.
The champion pair of Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe were also successful at Cork as El Rojo Grande ran out the five lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
As regular followers of the point-to-point scene will know the sport has been running into difficulty regards insurance cover, however, the good news is that I have it from a reliable source that a UK company may be about to enter the insurance market and cover for country sports should soon be restored. Negotiations are progressing well and an official announcement is expected soon.
WexfordLocal.com 