Sunshine racing at Knockmullen House

By Dan Walsh at Knockmullen House

November sunshine made life pleasant for the attendance at today’s Wexford Hunt point-to-point at Knockmullen House, New Ross, where a good afternoon’s racing took place in heavy conditions.

The opening maiden race for four-year-olds concluded with the closest finish of the day; only a neck separated the Colin Bowe handled Wednesday Addams ridden by Rob James from Denis Murphy’s Santapietra and Jack Hendrick up. Jonathan Fogarty’s Aldaira and Barry Stone led by a big margin in the race until the partnership ended at the ninth fence.

Bright Sunrise proved a popular local winner of the maiden race for mares aged five years and upwards winning by fifth lengths in the familiar purple and gold colours of owner and breeder Jim Mernagh of Coolamurray Stud, Davidstown, who wasn’t present to enjoy the success. Ridden by Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, who was riding his 35^th career winner, Bright Sunrise is handled by Susan O’Gorman, Kellystown, Adamstown, who was celebrating her 4^th victory and is in her fifth year as a handler.

All other races at Knockmullen House went outside the county with handler/rider Declan Queally from Dungarvan recording a double; Artic Lane scored by eight lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and Beau’s Candle doubled the winning distance in the Winners of One Race and was clear by 16 lengths at the finish.

Hannah Phillips from Fethard. Co. Tipperary enjoyed her second career victory on Jimmybrien, owned and handled by Michael Phillips by three-quarters of a length in the geldings’ race for novice riders. Claire ‘Connell travelled from Meath and took the maiden race for five-year-olds ridden by John Barry.

There was another point-to-point fixture at Dromahane, Co. Cork, where Barry O’Neill recorded a double success. Moon Over Mexico dead-heated in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill and afterwards O’Neill teamed up with David Christie and they were eight and a half lengths winners of the Open Race with Ferns Lock.

Garrett Murphy from Ballymitty saddled newcomer Northern Air in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and with Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, in the saddle success was achieved by four lengths.

Next Sunday’s local point-to-point is the Wicklow Hunt meeting at Fairwood, Tinahely. First race at 12.30pm and entries close on Tuesday.

The cancelled two-day Bank Holiday races at Wexford have been given a rescheduled date – it happens next Friday, November 17^th. Free admission. And the annual general meeting of Wexford Racecourse Supporter’s Club takes place in the Farm Centre, Enniscorthy, on Friday, November 24^th at 8pm. All are welcome.