By Dan Walsh at Lingstown races
Vital Island, a 13-year-old gelding, made history today at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, by winning ‘over the banks’ for the sixth time.
Owned and handled by Richard O’Keeffe, Newtown, Taghmon, Vital Island will now go forward to the Punchestown Festival next month and attempt to repeat his 2023 success under Benny Walsh.
Winning by three lengths Vital Island was ridden by Barry Stone and was the second leg of a double for the Cleariestown rider.
Stone enjoyed a six lengths victory on Kasino Des Mottes in the maiden race for five and six-year-old geldings for Gaynestown Stud Partnership and handler Jonathan Fogarty, who were also on a double.
Earlier the Fogarty’s were successful when Barry O’Neill brought Katie’s Melody home six lengths clear of the field in the maiden race for five-year-old mares. Mikey Fogarty, representing the stable, said afterwards; “She is a nice mare with a good pedigree. Has taken a bit of time. She will be sold now.”
Jack Hendrick rode his 102nd career winner in the opening maiden race for four-year-old mares when Cormac Doyle’s newcomer Sapphos Word came home four and a half lengths to the good in the colours of Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership.
If You Believe was an impressive winner for the Redbridge Stables of Michael Murphy at Duncormick in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings, Four and a half lengths the verdict and ridden by Darragh Higgins. “He’s a lovely horse, jumped well, and he’ll come on for the run. He’ll go to the sales,” said Murphy afterwards.
Portlaw handler Richard O’Hara saddled the winner of the final race of the day – the maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards confined to handlers with 10 wins or less – a one and a half lengths victory for Kilbuny Supersonic ridden by local rider Sean Staples from Duncormick.
The fixture run under the auspices of the Killinick Harriers drew the largest attendance seen at a local point-to-point for some time, aided and abetted by a pleasant Spring day on the south coast of Wexford.
There was also point-to-point action at Belclare, Co. Galway, today where Rob James enjoyed a treble success. He had two for Tipperary handler Pat Doyle – Kap De Cerisy and Lifetime Ambition – and teamed up with Donnchadh Doyle and the Monbeg Syndicate with Generous Risk who scored by 15 lengths in the maiden race for five and six-year-old geldings.
The O’Rourke family from Clonard, Wexford, also celebrated their day in the west! Owner Phyllis, handler Pat and rider Jimmy saddled Carrick Hill in the maiden race for seven-year-olds plus and carried off a two lengths victory.
There was also a point-to-point meeting at Castlelands in Co. Waterford where Gearoid Doyle (owner), Sean Doyle (handler) and Jamie Scallan (rider) recorded a double success. Newcomer Midnight Jukebox won the maiden race for four-year-old geldings by three-quarters of a length and Hydration Station had six and a half lengths to spare at the finish of the maiden race for five and six-year-old geldings.
WexfordLocal.com 