By Dan Walsh
Multi-times point-to-point championship winners Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill set an early pace in the 2024-’25 championship when winning the opening race of the new season with Auntie Lacey in the maiden race for four-year-old mares at Toomebridge, Co. Antrim today (Saturday).
The Kiltealy team had two and a quarter lengths to spare with Auntie Lacey, who is for sale, and it was a Wexford-handled one/two as she was chased home by Clody Diamond handled and ridden by neighbour Rob James, who shared last season’s rider’s title with O’Neill.
Later in the afternoon Barry O’Neill joined forces with Meath handler Tom Dreaper and completed a riding double on Tech Talk by one and a half lengths in the Winner of One race.
There was more Wexford success on the northern card when the only newcomer in a field of five, She Is For Me Boys, scored by two lengths under Brian Dunleavy in the maiden race for mares’ aged five or over.
Owned by the Baltimore Stables Syndicate, She Is For Me Boys was the 50th career winner for Mary Ellen Doyle, now in her seventh year as the licence holder at Coolgarrow, Enniscorthy.
So, a brilliant start for the Wexford stables on opening day of the season and there is a very strong Wexford entry for Sunday’s fixture at Castletown-Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath. First race at 1pm.
In other point-to-point news The Island fixture due to be held at Ballycrystal on Sunday, October 20th will now be run over a new left-handed track at Peppard’s Castle, located on the coast between Kilmuckridge and Ballygarrett.
WexfordLocal.com 