By Dan Walsh at Wexford races
The largest attendance this season enjoyed competitive racing in summer conditions on Ladies Day at Wexford races this Friday evening and the numbers were even greater at Saturday’s fixture.
Saturday’s fixture got off to a shock winner when 33/1 shot Kingside Lady took the fillies maiden hurdle for Meath trainer John McConnell. Darragh O’Keeffe and Henry de Bromhead got their usual winner at Wexford with Rockonliam (7/4 fav.) in the handicap chase.
The Cody family from Dunnamaggan, Co. Kilkenny, were celebrating following Harpy Eagle (4/1) success in the handicap hurdle by three lengths. Breeder and trainer, Ray Cody, owner Gillian Cody and five pound claiming jockey Paddy Cody welcome their winner back to the winners’ enclosure following a three lengths success.
Declan Queally had another Waterford success with Rightfolksplease (2/1 fav.) ridden by Kevin Healy in the Boyle Sports Handicap Chase. For the second day in a row Willie Mullins and his son, Patrick, won the bumper, this time with Alicious (7/4). No locally trained winners on Saturday.
An interesting first time visitor to Wexford racecourse was Steve Jones from Stoke-on-Trent who was celebrating a career milestone – he has visited every racecourse in the UK and Ireland. He left Wexford until last, but agreed that the experience was worthwhile.
Owner Stephen McGuinness and his son, Tom, who trains on the beach at Rosslare Strand, celebrated their first success together when Esticky End (16/1) won a handicap hurdle by a neck at Wexford on July 23rd. The pair returned to the same track on Friday evening and secured another fine victory.
Jumping well throughout Esticky End (6/1), ridden by Patrick O’Brien scored by five lengths and winning two on the bounce was celebrated by the McGuinness family.
Speaking after the race, trainer Tom McGuinness said; “You’d wonder did he want to do it at times because he has refused to race several times. He planted at the start last year in Thurles and stayed in the stalls at Dundalk and Gowran. He got suspended for one of his days in Thurles.
“There have been plenty of times he’s been out of love with the game, and we’ve just tried to coax him back into it,” added Tom.
Father and son, Willie and Patrick Mullins combined to win the bumper with Get It Girl (4/1) by two lengths and Philip Rothwell, Tinahely Stables, maintained a good run of success when Rosenborg (9/1) scored a maiden hurdle victory under Ross Sugrue.
Gordon Elliott saddled a winner – Tropical Twist (17/2) with Jack Kennedy up – and Eoin Griffin from Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny, teamed up with champion owner John P. McManus to win the feature Neville Hotels Handicap Hurdle with the Peter Smithers’ ridden Splashing Out (6/1) who lead all the way and had six lengths to spare at the finish.
Local entrepreneur Fiona Gainfort, Chairperson of Wexford Rape Crisis fundraising committee, acted as master of ceremonies for the Ladies Day activities.
The winner of the ‘Best Dressed’ category was Cathy Kelly, Castledermot and the ‘Best Hat’ prize went to Tina Hemlock, Kinsale, Co. Cork.
Sponsors were Seafield Hotel and Spa Resort at Ballymoney, Gorey, Julie Caulfield, Westgate Design, Wexford and Roseland House of Flowers, Murrintown village.
WexfordLocal.com 