DUBLIN-BORN Derek Delaney may these days reside in Rhode, Co Offaly, but the ripple effect of his Vincent Delaney Memorial race reaches the four corners of the globe.
Inaugurated in 2012 at the now defunct Portmarnock Raceway, the VDM as it is widely known, has a business model unlike any other trotting event in these isles.
Most Irish or UK meetings are organised by an association or a club. Delaney has retained a strong hand in the running of this meeting in memory of Vincent who died of a heart attack at the age of 27 in 2011.
Having parted from its Dublin roots, the VDM enjoyed two very successful renewals at Tir Prince Raceway in North Wales. The 2024 meeting will be held at the plush Wolverhampton racecourse also known as Dunstall Park.
The day to day running of the races was /is under the jurisdiction of the Irish Harness Racing Association/British Harness Racing Club but the marketing and sponsorship drive is Derek’s baby.
Not only does Derek promote the meeting, his hands are all over it as he and brother James run Oakwood Stud which stands Foreclosure and manages straws from Sweet Lou (leading sire in Ireland 2023) and Always B Miki.
A total of 90 two-year-olds, 48 three-year-olds and 24 four-year-olds are in the early entries for this year’s festival set for August 10th and 11th.
Notable entries
Derek pointed out a few notable entries. In the two-year-old fillies “Coalford Annabelle is a half-sister to Coalford Sweet Lou. Nashville is out of the same mare as Louisiana and Louisville. Oakwood Maggie is out of Trend Setter who has three offspring in the States already.”
Amongst the two-year-old colts are: ”Ayr Exchange who is a full-brother to last year’s winner Ayr Corleone. Oakwood Louis topped the York sale and has a brother named Sicily who has won nearly $1 million in the US.
“Forgeside Always is by Always B Miki out of Jessies Conquest. Sooner or later this mare is going to throw a topper. He looked a lovely strong type at the sales and Alexis Laidler gets on well with the Always B Miki colts.”
“The three-year-old fillies include Always B Puffin, the 2023 two-year-old filly of the year, trained by The Red Baron himself, Billy Roche. Chasing The Stars by Tom Hill won the two-year-old fillies’ division last year. Pussycat Doll won the prestigious Breeders’ Crown.
“The three-year-old colts include the Scottish speed machine Money Hill and No Small Talk who is a full-brother to Shesnoaprilfool.”
The full list of entries can be seen on the Vincent Delaney Memorial website.
Full credit to the various breeders, the stock would not look out of place in Delaware, Ohio, home of the premier three-year-old pace of America, The Little Brown Jug.
Publicity coup
Every year since the inception of the race Derek has pulled a publicity coup out of the bag. Recently on International Women’s Day the committee announced the Bernie Kelly Memorial Ladies Race which will feature lady drivers such as Lauren Tritton from Australia, Jasmine Arnold from the USA and Britain’s Alexis Laidler. Bernie is fondly remembered as the secretary of the VDM. The race will help the charity Cancer Trials Ireland.
The prize fund is expected to exceed €160,000. Key sponsors include The Meadowlands racetrack, Hanover Shoe Farms. Diamond Creek Stud, LDP Demolition and Oakwood Stud.
US harness racing figure Heather Wilder is organising a touring party of American visitors with Little Brown Jug winning trainer Casie Coleman scheduled to attend.
Harry Jones Funfair has been booked for the younger racegoers while Eddie Sherlock from Dublin will perform as will the plainly named The Chip Shop Boys, who hail from Cheltenham.
Standard and corporate tickets can be purchased on the Wolverhampton Racecourse website.