THE name ‘Bernard Nicholson’ in the trainers’ and drivers’ column on race programmes should be underlined by both bookmakers and US buyers alike.

Although a comparative newcomer to the sport, Bernard enjoyed great success with Churchview Niche and then repeated the dose in the following seasons with Churchview Frankel.

The Churchview breeding is orchestrated by David O’Sullivan in Charleville.

Bernard is originally from Roscommon and his wife Gail is from Cootehill, Co Cavan. The couple have recently relocated to Redhills, Cavan with four-year-old twins Jack and Conor and one-year-old Kyle.

“Life kind of got in the way of the horses,” says Bernard, “with the young boys and moving house, we had to slow down a bit. We had great years with Niche and Frankel, so hopefully we’ll get those times back.”

Bernard continued: “Churchview Niche won the Breeders’ Crown at two and three. Churchview Frankel won the title at two, three and four. Only he and Miraculous have achieved this. He is still racing in the US, he gets a cheque with most runs. He was fourth in the Bogata Series at Yonkers last week.”

Nicholson says that his highlight of last season were the wins by Coalford Henry H and Neil McDermott’s Wasn’t Expecting That.

He farms a bit and breaks driving horses and riders for neighbours. Gail has a great record in ladies’ races. This busy household proffered three runners to follow this year.

JUVENILE (Fr)

6yo m Un Amour d’Haufour – Aleria Morainville

This mare had a win, a second and a third from three races. I own her with Sean Duggan. She’s a nice mare, but she refuses to go slow in training. We swim them in a local lake when the better weather breaks through. She’ll be in the Future Broodmare Series – it’s for decent money.

WHATS THE WASH (Ire)

2yo g Cattlewash – Fairdays Crea

The McCulloughs from North Down bred and own. The dam was a full-sister to Fairdays Western. He’s a nice big horse, good gaited and very natural.

FIERY FRANK (USA)

2yo g Artspeak – Litore Dio

He came in from America. On paper, he is one of the best bred horses in the country.

His dam is by Sportswriter. He’s another strong youngster and can pace without the hobbles. We gelded him, as he was a bit of a jack-the-lad.

COUSINS Simon (32) and Sean Duggan (45) have the stable closest to Annaghmore Raceway. The village of Galbally is 17 miles from the track.

The Duggans and Ivan Swindle (from Fermanagh) were amongst the main movers in getting the racing surface and the club house into a presentable state for recent seasons.

The track is in Armagh, but the boys are based on the other side of the River Blackwater, i.e. in Co Tyrone. Nice things happen to good people and the Duggans have enjoyed success with the warhorse Rhyds Boots, Coalford Silk, Abraham and, more recently, Priceless and Coalford Henry H.

It’s still early into 2025, but Simon Duggan posted a contender for wittiest quote of the year, when he was asked to name his highlight of 2024. “Priceless retiring,” laughed Simon.

The background is that the tall mare, all 16.3 of her, had a mind of her own. “She just couldn’t handle being in season. She was a danger to herself and others in the race.” In fact, the talented mare (she did throw in a 2.00 mile) was occasionally a bookies’ benefit, as she rusted more than once.

A date with Tattoo Artist p, 1.47.1 and winner of $3.3 million, will hopefully draw out the best aspects of sire and dam.

Tattoo Artist stands as part of the IHRA fund-raising programme ‘Invest In Ourselves’.

Another 2024 highlight was the fact that Coalford Henry H outperformed his purchase price at York sales. Respected pundit John Roche called Henry H “the most improved horse of the season” last term.

Therefore, it is no surprise that the genuine gelding tops Simon’s list of runners for the season commencing on May 4th.

COALFORD HENRY H (GB)

5yo g Henry Hill – Sweet Tahoma

We own him with Bernard Nicholson, Paddy Carberry and Tiernan Loughran. He’s out of the same mare as the great Coalford Tetrick. He is barely pony-sized and has a lovely nature. He’s only a Grade F, so you’d be aiming at a handicap across the water.

COALFORD LOOK AT ME (GB)

2yo f Henry Hill – Coalford Ski

We went back to the fountain head, Henry Hill. We went to £7,000 for her as a yearling. We broke her, then left her with Ciaran Morrison for some track work, then a wee break. She is staked up for everything, including the IHRA Champion Stakes. She has size and a good build and a sassy attitude. I like them with a bit of spark.

FELINE DES NOES (FR)

10yo m Memphis du Rib – Quapriciosa

She has speed for sure, though I’m not sure how well she stays. She’s down a bit in grade, which will help. At the moment, we are experimenting with different bits, as she takes a hold. She’ll pay her way okay.

UNLIKE in Ireland, which has basically a six-month season, the US sport is a year-round affair. New York and New Jersey get cold winters and it’s quite common to see Yonkers racing with literally tonnes of snow scraped off the track.

In this tough environment, our own Robble Cleary (41) continues to thrive. Cleary is originally from Ballydehob. His father Padjoe was a trainer and driver in Cork. Robbie himself picked up his trade with John Richardson at Ballyboughal.

In a rare twist-of-fate, JR now sends stock to his former assistant. Gentleman Jim and Shesnoaprilfool have been prolific winners for the Bath Lane Stable. Bath Lane is an old street off Gardiner Street, a long way from The Meadowlands, but once the home turf of Hughie Richardson.

Robbie has established a reputation as the go-to man if an Irish or British pacer is destined to race on the Eastern Seaboard. As with all sports in America, statistics are freely available for harness racing. The West Cork native has trained 391 winners of nearly $5 million since he set up camp in 2016, steadily increasing his haul every year.

He has raced Oakwood Ardan (bred in Offaly) at the highest level. Robbie’s most recent win was with the Scottish-bred Louisville on Monday, March 31st, when she picked up a $17,000 mares’ pace with driver Tyler Buter at Pocono Downs. Amongst Robbie’s owners is the very supportive Bill Peshina of Royal Wire Products.

All of the following have featured in this column in their Irish or UK career and have gone on to win for the West Cork-born trainer in the cradle of harness racing: Rebel Rouser, A Rocknroll Star, Oakwood Hey Miki and Sweet Caroline, Robbie’s complete list of winners is too numerous to mention.

Speaking from Ballydehob during the week, his father Padjoe commented: “Robbie is so dedicated. He treats each horse as if he owned the animal himself. He puts in at least 12 hours per day.”

Long may the success on the big stage continue.