WAYNE McNevin (42) from Rathcoole, Dublin has been a breath of fresh air to the local harness racing scene in recent years.

It’s hard to believe that just eight years ago, he was learning the ropes with Christy Dunne at Kill.

In the intervening years, Wayne owned horses trained by Billy Roche and Tadhg Murphy. He also benefitted from advice from the late great Liam Wallace.

Originally from Dolphin’s Barn, his horses are always out to win. Wayne has invested significantly in the sport and the whole family, including pony Marshall, make it a day out.

Wayne’s breakthrough horse was the brilliantly fast IB A Magician, now retired. The McNevins call their yard ‘Rough Diamond Stables’ - a bit of a misnomer, as he is unfailingly polite and treats triumph and disaster the same way.

Nowadays Wayne, who has a successful business creating attic conversions, is personally training as many horses as he can handle. He is assisted by daughter Leah (19), who is studying business at college in Tallaght.

“We jog the horses a lot on the road, however, I recently bought another plot of ground near the yard and I intend to put down an 880-yard track,” explained Wayne. “Any race which Leah wins is a thrill for me. She won some big races last year with IB Notorious and Benny Camden.”

Wayne is also helped by Ryan Redmond, who is the first person to gain a mention in this column as “head lad” and also a professional DJ.

Wayne mentioned five pacers to follow in 2025. The season is scheduled to commence on May 4th.

Benny Camden

11yo g (GB) Pro Bono Best – Electric Art.

Leah will drive. She gets on well with him. He is a gentleman; the younger kids can do anything with him. He owes us nothing. He’ll be aimed at the Liam Wallace Future Stars Race.

RD Diamond Wash

3yo g (IRE) Cattlewash – Pana Sutra.

He can be a bit hot to work with day-to-day, but he sobers up at the racetrack. He is unlucky to be born in the same crop as Ayroplane. The Cattlewash foals are going well in the States, they are all making the races. He’ll be heading for the Vincent Delaney Memorial.

Born In Isolation (GB)

4yo g Tom Hill – Born To Run.

We bought him from Ryan Cattigan in Scotland. He won in 1.59 first time out. I feel I’ll know him better this season. He broke a hobble in his last start of 2024, he’d have gone close that day.

RD Five Star

2yo g (IRE) Sweet Lou – Pana Sutra.

He was bred by Jason O’Sullivan. He’s out of the same mare as Diamond Wash. He’s currently learning the ropes with Ciaran Morrison at Annaghmore. Ciaran doesn’t say much, but I think he likes this colt.

TADHG Murphy holds the trainer’s licence at IB Stables, named after Innis Beg Island, Baltimore. Tadhg’s brother Donal has been the main driver in recent years, but now Tadhg’s son Eoin is emerging as one of the country’s best young coachmen.

“Eoin improved a lot last season. He is starting to get a few catch drives. He is an apprentice electrician, but still finds time for harness racing.

“We only started the horses back a fortnight ago. I have 10 in work, four trotters and six pacers. Comete des Landes winning the Richard Phelan last year was a highlight. The French driver Franck Ouvrie drove for us. IB Paddington was second at that meeting and also at Ballabuidhe.

“The work on the new hard track at Lyre is due to start soon. The venue will revolutionise the sport in Cork. For one thing, it will allow a longer season.”

Comete Des Landes

13 yo m (FR) New des Landes – Ouveau du Vivier.

She is owned by Thomond O’Mara and Jim Madigan, who are both more associated with the thoroughbred scene. She has been some servant. She should be back down to a winnable mark.

IB Paddington

8yo g (IRE) Foreclosure – Annies Lady.

If anything, he improved with age. Foreclosure seems to breed dependability. We own him with Bill Donovan of Florida, who has been a marvellous benefactor for Irish trotting. He was third in the All-Ireland behind Teddy Camden. He’ll tip away in the better races.

IB Espresso

4yo m (IRE) Sweet Lou – Clouds In My Coffee.

We loved the dam, but she picked up an injury. Espresso won in Ballabuidhe. She kept coming up against Always Be Puffin and Anglesey Hall, but our filly will be stronger this year.

Oakwood Dessie

3yo g (IRE) Sweet Lou – Oakwood Destiny.

This fellah was £25,000 at York sales. We have him and also Oakwood Maggie for Finbar Quill of Kenmare, who is an old ally of ours. He won a little two-year-old race in the back-end, but we left a bit to work on.

Homa

8yo m (FR) Kaisy Dream – Taloma.

She could be a dark horse. We had her ready in 2023, but she got hurt in the field. She is owned by Aidan Hayes, who has been a lucky owner in our yard. We watched her videos in France, you can always notice things.

Welling does good work

MICK Welling, the Crafty Cockney, who owns York Harness Raceway, was in touch to mention a charity meeting. Mick runs the PACT (Parents Action For Children With Tumours) weekend at his track, a three-day meeting from July 25th to 27th, in aid of the children’s ward at Sheffield Hospital.

“I believe there will be plenty of Irish entries. We will run a Five Nations Championship for trotters and some top-class paces. 100% of the gate money will go to the charity.”

The children’s ward is close to the heart for Mick, who tragically lost a young son, Daniel to cancer in 2009. We wish the venture every success.