CONGRATULATIONS to longtime racing journalist Ian Carnaby on the publication of his new book, The Long Road from Portman Square – A gambler’s odyssey from Portsmouth to Paraguay.
Priced at £20, it is available on martenjulian.com.
HAVING been alerted to the occasion on Tuesday by her daughter Gaye, we would like to offer belated happy 80th birthday wishes to the great Ann Ferris – winner of the Irish Sweeps Hurdle on Irian in 1979, of the Irish Grand National on Bentom Boy in 1984, overall champion point-to-point rider in 1976 and multiple winner of the Mary Hyde trophy as champion lady rider.
Ray’s just pipped
AN entry at Listowel last Monday caught the eye, Taylors Three Rock, ridden by Mr R. P. Hogan for trainer Eric McNamara.
Yes it was the first ride back by Rathkeale fire fighter Ray since he renewed his licence recently aged 40-plus.
The race went well considering the filly was unruly in the paddock and the pair were six lengths clear after halfway, but were headed inside final furlong and finished a punchy second. The indefatigable Ray said he “got a great spin and I’m thrilled to be back”.
MAURICE and Jane O’Keeffe, based in Tralee, continue their stalwart work collecting fascinating Irish oral history, and have published more Irish Life and Lore podcasts.
Readers of The Irish Field should not delay in tuning in to The Lives of Irish Racing People Parts 1 and 2.
Listen to the voices of well racing personalities as they describe their passion for the sport: Clem Magnier, Kevin Prendergast, Marguerite Weld and her son Dermot, Phonsie O’Brien, Jacqueline O’Brien, recalling her early days at Ballydoyle, Sonia Rogers, doyenne of Airlie Stud, Francis Flood and early days with Paddy Sleator, and Paddy Woods who rode Arkle and remembers the day disaster struck.
Part 2 features T.P. Burns, Tommy Murphy who worked at Ballydoyle from 1974, Maureen Mullins, matriarch of the Mullins family, Barbara Collins, a trainer’s wife for more than half a century; Stan Cosgrave and the disappearance of Shergar, bloodstock agent Johnny Harrington, and Mick O’Toole, one of the great characters of the sporting world.
Go to www.irishlifeandlore.com and dive into a treasure trove.