THE opening meet of the northern region’s 2024/25 spring season took place at the picturesque seaside venue of Tyrella. Despite the disruption caused by Storm Eowyn on Friday, the East Down Hunt did a fantastic job of ensuring that all preparations were in place for Saturday.
It was a memorable day for Ballynoe’s Sam Hamilton, who brought his career tally to three wins from just six rides on the point-to-point circuit by securing a double.
The 17-year-old belied his inexperience as he claimed victory in the opening five-year-old mares’ maiden aboard the William Hunter-owned Camlin Park (2/1 - 5/2).
Settling the daughter of Affinisea at the rear of the field, Hamilton patiently bided his time before making his move at the penultimate obstacle. As he asked for her effort on the run to the home bend, she responded gamely, asserting her dominance and pulling away to win comfortably by 10 lengths from Castlegore.
Doubling up
Hamilton’s second win of the day came with Yewtree Hill (6/1), an eight-year-old son of Kalanisi, fresh off a maiden success at Tattersalls, who triumphed in the winners of three contest, clocking the joint-fastest time of the day in the process.
A true family success, as Yewtree Hill is bred, trained, and owned by Hamilton’s grandfather Brian. Yewtree Hill was given a patient ride in rear before battling fiercely down the straight to fend off long-time leader Bold Fury by a length.
The winning rider stated: “They did it very well, the horses are in great form at the minute and giving me a great experience.”
ON a day that showcased the emerging talent of several young jockeys, 18-year-old Josh Williamson continues to make his presence felt, as he guided the Cian Collins-trained Captain P (7/1-8/1) to defy his odds and claim victory in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The son of Getaway tracked the leaders throughout jumping and travelling with utmost professionalism.
Joining long-time leader and eventual runner-up Following Orders on the run to the final obstacle, despite a slight mistake at this fence, he forged ahead from the back of it to win by a length and a half for the Robinstown Stables Partnership.
“That was my first time sitting on him, but Cian [Collins] had him in brilliant order, he had the couple of runs so the bit of experience definitely helped him get around here,” Williamson commented.
“He felt almost flat out going across the back the final time but as soon as a horse came to my girth he picked up and went on again. He’s a lovely horse for the future.”
The only exception
It was largely a day for the bookmakers, but the Caroline McCaldin-trained Hurlershill (5/4 favourite) proved the one exception, justifying his favourites tag and sending punters home happy. The keen-running son of Getaway overcame a 455-day absence to win the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden in the colours of McCaldin’s father, Wilson Dennison.
Last seen when chasing home the now dual Grade 2-winning novice chaser Handstands at Moira in October 2023, Hurlershill was held-up at the rear early on by jockey Noel McParlan.
However, he soon made rapid progress through the field, taking the lead from the sixth obstacle.
From there, he jumped fluently and asserted himself, pulling away to win by a convincing two and a half lengths from Squire Ohara.
THE William Harvey-owned and trained Ballerina Boxer (5/2-100/30) relished her return to the pointing fields after a stint over hurdles.
Given a patient ride in rear by 18-year-old Matthew Love, she made smooth progress on the approach to the penultimate obstacle. When asked to give her full effort into the straight the seven-year-old daughter of Shirocco picked up smartly, battling admirably all the way to the line to fend off newcomer Lucy Jordan by a head. This was a convincing performance, and based on this effort, she should be competitive as she progresses into winners’ company.
“She done that very well today now, we are delighted,” Ben Harvey, son of the winning handler, said. “Big compliments to Matthew [Love], he gave her a brilliant patient ride, he’s a very good jockey. If not sold she will head to a winners’ contest.”
Back to his best
Carnfunnock (6/4 - 9/4) made his first appearance in the pointing field when chasing home the admirable Winged Leader at Portrush in October. This Largy Bloodstock-owned eight-year-old, who has earned over £50,000 in prize money and won four times on the track, was given a patient ride in rear by Stephen Connor.
When asked for his effort, he responded gamely making up ground down the inner to get up on the line and defeat Milan Forth, however the finishing positions were amended as Milan Forth was deemed to have drifted left in the closing stages, causing interference with the third home Dento Des Obeaux, which resulted in their placings being reversed.
“He did that brilliantly today,” Connor said ridden his fourth winner of the season. “He picked up a bit of a cut after Portrush, so he had to have some time off. We thought he might need the run today since he was a bit short on work, so for him to go and do that was even more impressive. He should improve for the run too.
“Everyone’s probably thinking of a big hunter chase for him, but he needs to win another open in order to qualify so that will be the next aim.”
Horse to Follow
Lucy Jordan (C. M. Collins): She may have been the only newcomer in the field, but she made a strong impression against far more experienced rivals. A half-sister to seven-time track winner Moroder, she was always close to the pace, jumping and travelling well. The daughter of Notnowcato mounted a determined challenge to the eventual winner, only to be narrowly beaten. This encouraging first effort suggests she will improve with experience, and she looks likely to break her maiden in the spring.