THE 2024 Irish Horse and Pony Racing season kicked off in Carndonagh, Co Donegal, on Sunday last.

The North West Racing Board are to be congratulated on their early start despite the very late and wet spring. They were well rewarded with top drawer racing and a record attendance.

Kian McNally made a blistering start to the new campaign with four winners from four rides on the day. The Armagh jockey’s four-timer was initiated by the queen of the sport Five Stone Of Lead in the 14.2hh contest.

The record-breaking Dingle heroine led before the home turn and ran on strongly to beat the pace-setting Baby Caro.

Kian then combined with his long-time supporters Team Worrell from Co Kildare for a double with Little Heart and Verstappen. The debutante Little Heart created a very big impression when landing the 15hh race from Living The Dream under Adam Grant.

The teak-tough Dingle Derby runner up Verstappen took the 10-furlong contest in gritty fashion. The winner is likely to reappear in the Vicarstown Derby.

Kian maintained his 100% record for the day when She’s Got It put up a sparkling performance to win the mile race. The reigning Golden Mile winner looks set for another season to savour.

Trip worthwhile

Maurice Ahern made the long trip from North Cork well worthwhile when Caro Quintero under Dylan O’Connor made most of the running to win the 12-furlong contest.

This horse clearly laid down an early season marker in defence of his Dingle Derby crown. Multiple winner from last season The Tinder Swindler kept on well for second under Julian Pietropaolo.

Julian had better luck in the two-mile event when Here We Go Again put up a stellar performance to see off the new comer Guadalajara under Dylan O’Connor. The winning North Cork jockey is based with Joseph O’Brien at the weekends and will be taking out his apprentice licence later this summer.

Champion lady jockey Nicola Burns got off the mark for the new season when Little Chief put up an impressive performance to win the combined 13.2hh/14hh race.

Jimmy and Mary Brady’s smart pony looks destined for a big season with all roads leading to Dingle in August.

13.2HH/14HH (1M): 1, J. Brady’s LITTLE CHIEF (Nicola Burns); 2, P. Collins DOWN MEXICO WAY (Julian Pietropaolo); 3, P. McGill’s SWILLY SPIRIT (Tiernan McGill).

14.2HH (1M): 1, M. Moloney’s FIVE STONE OF LEAD (Kian McNally); 2, M. Ahern/P. O’Connor’s BABY CARO (Dylan O’Connor); 3, N. Holohan’s ALL BETS ARE OFF (Reese Holohan).

15HH (1M): 1, I. Worrell’s LITTLE HEART (Kian McNally); 2, Dream Team Partnership’s LIVING THE DREAM (Adam Grant); 3, McGinley Racing’s DREAM DANCER (Dylan O’Connor).

Open Horse Race (1M): 1, Dream Team Partnership’s SHE’S GOT IT (Kian McNally); 2, S. Tynan’s STAY WITH HER JOHNNY (Reese Holohan); 3, M. O’Connor’s HASTA LUEGO (Dylan O’Connor).

Open Horse Race (10F): 1, I. Worrell’s VERSTAPPEN (Kian McNally); 2, M. Ahern’s RIGHT ON TIME (Dylan O’Connor); 3, R&D Racing’s DAITHI’S DREAM (Adam Grant).

Open Horse Race (12F): 1, M. Ahern’s CARO QUINTERO (Dylan O’Connor); 2, Allforsale Syndicate’s THE TINDER SWINDLER (Julian Pietropaolo); 3, N. McLaughlin’s LEONA’S DREAM (Nicola Burns).

Open Horse Race (2M): 1, Allforsale Syndicate’s HERE WE GO AGAIN (Julian Pietropaolo); 2, M. Ahern’s GUADALAJARA (Dylan O’Connor); 3, Team Browne’s THE QUIET MAN (Patrick McGettigan).

Next fixtures

Midlands: The Midlands Region will begin their new season at Vicarstown, Co Laois, on Sunday, May 19th next. Contact Mary 086-8869043.

South: The Southern Region will return on Sunday, May 26th at Ballysteen, Co Limerick. Entries close Monday, May 20th. Text Ernest and Frances 087-9759500.