By Dan Walsh at Ballycrystal races
Shane O’Rourke from Foulksmills rode his 60th point-to-point career winner at today’s Island fixture at Ballycrystal aboard the Devereux family home-bred gelding Onyerbike in the Winner of One Race.
Three lengths was the winning margin for Onyerbike owned and bred by Jimmy Devereux, Rostoonstown Stud, Tacumshane, and trained by his son, Vincent Devereux. The plan now is to go for ‘a winners’ race next’ stated Vincent.
Barry Stone won the five and six-year-old mares maiden race on Rock On Katy in the colours of Patrick Kinsella, Gorey, and handled by Liam Kenny at Craanford. Three lengths the winning margin. Afterwards Daragh Brennan confirmed that the bay mare is heading to the sales.
The Monbeg Partnerhip, Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan team is enjoying a most successful season, and they were in the number one enclosure again today following Legendary Duke’s victory in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. “It was a good performance. She came to us in November and has improved. Off to the sales now,” said handler Sean Doyle, who added; “Great to get a winner at the local track.”
Thomas Deacon was the breeder of Not Now Rodney owned and handled by Martin Corrigan, Blackwater, and best in a close finish to the maiden race for six-year-olds plus. Third success for promising Blackwater rider Shane Butler.
UK-born rider Pandora Bresildon had a nice winner on Pat Doyle’s I Masked Du Potier by nine lengths in the Open Race. Afterwards, Pandora said the plan now is to go for the Hunter Chase at Cork on Easter Monday.
Ellmarie Holden from Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny saddled the favourite Seeitoldya with Derek O’Connor up in the maiden race for four-year-olds and won from the front by two and a half lengths. “He’s a great little jumper. Does everything very easily. He pops along in front. Off to the Aintree sales now,” said Ms. Holden afterwards.
Barry O’Neill is leading the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship with 29 winners this season following a treble at Portrush, Co. Antrim, when he competed there today.
He rode Winged Leader to his 30th point-to-point victory by three lengths in the Open Race for Fermanagh handler David Christie.
Christie had a treble on the afternoon, but O’Neill gave him a second victory on My Life Be Like by an easy 22 lengths in the Winner of Two Race.
O’Neill’s treble was completed on the Cian Collins trained Ring of Kerry by one and a quarter lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Brilliant day for the Ballindaggin champion.
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