LAST Sunday saw the North-West season draw to a close with a meeting in Carrickadawson, Co. Donegal. It was a red-letter day for Kyle McHugh and Paul Kavanagh who both partnered their first winners, while Vicky Holohan recorded her first winner in Novice Rider Category Races. The remainder of the day was dominated by Conor Stone-Walsh and Dylan O’Connor who recorded four and three winners respectively.

Kyle McHugh opened his career account in the 12 furlong race where he partnered West Boots for Lisa Cregg. The 15-year-old local was in a prominent position throughout with the James Dalton-ridden Will I Am chasing him home.

Sixteen-year-old Galway rider Paul Kavanagh made his first visit to the winner’s enclosure as he took the Non-Winners Race for Brookborough, Co. Fermanagh farrier Wayne Swindle. Paul gave Wild Bill a fine front-running ride, increasing the tempo from just after half-way to win from the Danny Gilligan-ridden Our Man Flint.

Conor Stone-Walsh moved onto the 20-winner mark for the season with a four-timer that won him the Day’s Leading Rider Award.

Conor’s day started in the best possible way as he landed the opener with a pillar-to-post ride on Kinnegar Boy for the McLaughlin-headed Team Mac Syndicate. The 15hh race made it a double for this combination as Remix came from off the pace to win.

The mile race saw the Teddy Worrell owned/trained Honest Bernie follow up on his winning introduction at Taghmon the previous week as he quickened off the final bend so see off another Team Mac charge in Mrs Mac under Sam Hamilton.

Conor completed his four-timer in the two-mile race as he brought the Shane Crabbe owned/trained Bipolar Blondie from last to first over the final half-mile to last it out from Mr. Bowen.

Dylan O’Connor maintained his place at the head of The Irish Field National Riders Championship with a treble that moved him onto the 29-winner mark for the season (his championship score based on his two best classes is 21 winners). Dylan started with victory on Little Chief in a match 14hh race as he took control from half-way.

Temple Hill Tamara quickened clear for Dylan in the 12.2hh to win from the Shantelle Holohan ridden Little Mickey while Baby Browne who reverted back to 14.2hh class made all to make owner/trainer Maurice Ahern’s journey back to Mallow seem a little shorter.The Novice Rider Race went to 13-year-old Portlaoise rider Vicky Holohan who partnered Black Brat to win, the pair quickening clear over the final furlong to win from the winning rider’s cousin Sean on The Road Sweeper.

Results: September 19th

Open Horse Race (10F): 1, Team Mac’s KINNEGAR BOY (Conor Stone-Walsh), 2, S. Gildea’s MAKE A PLAN (Daniel Gilligan); 3, P. J. Donnelly’s KEEPER’S HILL (Ollie Gilligan).

14hh Race (7F): 1, S. Crabbe’s LITTLE CHIEF (Dylan O’Connor); 2, S. Kerr’s UNHINGED (Kian McNally).

15hh Race (10F): 1, Team Mac’s REMIX (Conor Stone-Walsh); 2, G. Faulkner and S. Quinn’s BALLYHACKET BOY (Daniel Gilligan); 3, D & K Racing’s MEET ME AT THE BAR (James Dalton).

Open Horse Race (1M): 1, I. Worrell’s HONEST BERNIE (Conor Stone-Walsh); 2, Team Mac’s MRS MAC (Sam Hamilton); 3, A, Melia’s BEST FRIENDS (Keithen Kennedy).

12.2hh Race (6F): 1, JJ O’Keeffe’s TEMPLE HILL TAMARA (Dylan O’Connor); 2, T. Beegan’s LITTLE MICKEY (Shantelle Holohan); 3, S. Kerr’s WHERE IT BEGAN (Kian McNally).

Open Horse Race (2M): 1, S. Crabbe’s BIPOLAR BLONDIE (Conor Stone-Walsh); 2, A. Melia’s MR. BOWEN (Keithen Kennedy); 3, J. Holian’s BIG BUCKS (Daniel Gilligan).

Open Horse Race (12F): 1, L. Cregg’s WEST BOOTS (Kyle McHugh); 2, D & K Racing’s WILL I AM (James Dalton); 3, L. Boswell’s SILVERDALE (Tommy Halford).

14.2hh Race (10F): 1, M. Ahern’s BABY BROWN (Dylan O’Connor); 2, S. Kerr’s FIVE STONE OF LEAD (Kian McNally); 3, D & K Racing’s TRAVELLING SOLDIER (Conor Stone-Walsh).

Non-Winners/Maiden Race (10F): 1, Wayne Swindle’s WILD BILL (Paul Kavanagh); 2, C. McGilligan’s OUR MAN FLINT (Daniel Gilligan); 3, I. Worrell’s CALL THE FBI (Conor Stone-Walsh)

Novice Rider Pony Race: 1, T. Beegan’s Black Brat (Vicky Holohan); 2, T. Beegan’s The Road Sweeper (Sean Holohan); 3, T. McGill’s Buzz Lighter (Tiernan McGill)

Notes

The Southern Region’s race on Ballybunion Strand in Kerry, tomorrow Sunday with a 1.30pm start. The final meeting of the 2021 season is scheduled for Askeaton/Ballysteen, Co. Limerick on Sunday October 3rd with a 1pm start.