By Dan Walsh at Bettyville Park
Heavy early rain eased off as this evening’s race meeting at Bettyville Park progressed, but it failed to dampen the spirit of Wexford GAA Raceday and an enjoyable social occasion was celebrated with beef and salmon on the menu and music.
There were no Wexford winners on the track, but two well deserved winners from the marquee – Gayle Flood won the ‘Best Dressed Lady competition’ sponsored by Sarah King Boutique, Wexford, and Ray McGlynn took the ‘Best Dressed Gentleman’ prize sponsored by Hore’s Stores. The panel of judges consisted of Niall Hore of Hore’s Stores, Mairead O’Connor of Sarah King, the Wexford Rose Joy Quigley and Maria Nolan from Cairde Loch Garman.
No Wexford winners, but Noel Dooly from Courtnacuddy, came close as Slate Gray with Tiernan Roche-Power in the saddle finished four lengths runner-up to Hazelhatch Lady (33/1) partnered by champion point-to-point rider of many seasons, Derek O’Connor.
Niall Moore rode his first winner in Ireland on Our Bobby (13/2) in the Tote Handicap Hurdle. Moore said afterwards; “I was with Evan Williams for fifteen months. It was great and I rode three winners for him. This success has been a while coming but I’ve had great support from the Burke’s who would be second cousins of mine. I’m from Gortnahoo, it’s a small parish in Tipperary. I’m based with Philip Fenton and Gordon Elliott. I’ve had a good few rides for them both and it’s going grand. It’s nice to get off the mark here.”
The Tote aggregate was €91,003.15 compared with €70,213.82 last year.
Next day’s racing at Bettyville Park takes place on Friday, August 5th and the theme is Ladies Day.
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