THE week before last proved a bit of a roller coaster ride for Dromara’s Neill McCluskey.
On the Tuesday, he learned that, in addition to fines and the disqualification of a winner, his licence to train was to be withdrawn for six months starting on December 1st.
On the Friday, from four runners at Downpatrick, he saddled the first two home, in his own colours, in the J. Murdoch Contracts Handicap Hurdle.
Regarding the first matter, Neill stated: “It was a very disappointing outcome and I’m certainly appealing.” On the second, he commented: “I was delighted and you know that they’re half-brothers I bred myself, don’t you?” Yes, I had noticed that the Philip Byrnes-ridden winner Moneynabane, a five-year-old by Doyen, and the Ben Kennedy-partnered runner-up, Wee Jerry, a seven-year-old by Dylan Thomas, were both out of Lady Of Glencoe.
The pair are the only produce of three out of that 2008 Marju mare to hit the racecourse. The first, a 2015 Robin Des Champs mare named Keep It Classy, has been retained for breeding.
“I still have their dam but she hasn’t had a live foal since Moneynabane,” said Niall who was joined for the winner’s enclosure photographs by the two geldings and their jockeys, his daughters Robyn and Lauren, Aimee Hamilton and, at times, his good friend and fellow owner/breeder Colm McDonnell and race sponsor James Murdoch.
Dundalk
Later on Friday, at Dundalk, Andy Oliver sent out the Zoustar colt King Of Gosford to justify favouritism in the seven-furlong nursery and then completed a double when the three-year-old Sioux Nation gelding Jack Red Cloud won the evening’s sole maiden, over the same trip, on his fourth start.
Both of the Oliver winners were making their debuts on the polytrack unlike the Leslie Laverty-bred Dandyville who recorded his third success on the surface, his seventh in total, in the three-year-old and upwards handicap which was also over seven furlongs. The five-year-old Dandy Man gelding is trained by Natalia Lupini for the Dr J Syndicate.
IT was with great sadness that I learned of the death last Friday of Terence McKeag who will be remembered by the racing and equestrian communities as a man of many roles with an extensive knowledge of racing and other equestrian disciplines.
I have referred in the past to a souvenir magazine published in the mid-1980s to celebrate racing at Downpatrick and in one photograph Terence is pictured leading his father John in on one of his many winners.
Terence then rode for many years himself and, on retiring from the saddle, maintained a close association with the sport, acting as an official and as an announcer.
Expressed sadness
Terence was one of the many to whom Joan Cunningham turned when looking for helpers for the Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride and she too expressed her sadness at the passing of her great friend.
“Terence was the life and soul of both the Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride and Saintfield Horse Show,” wrote Joan. “The first Santa Ride was in 2007 and Terence entertained the crowds of people who gathered in Saintfield from then until 2019 when he became ill.
“He was presented with an original Leo Casement painting at the launch of the 2019 Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride to thank him for his services throughout the years and that year was joined by his good friend Hugo Duncan.
Every year Terence welcomed the ‘Real Santa’ in his magnificent carriage and the multitude of Santas that followed behind. He kept everyone in Saintfield in stitches laughing; he was a true natural comedian and larger than life character.
Craic mighty
“At Saintfield Horse Show he used to commentate on the Donkey Derby and again the crowds adored him and joined in singing ‘Delaney’s Donkey’. The craic was always mighty when Terence had the microphone in his hand.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Heather and all the family. May God sustain you all through this very trying time. Terence we will all miss you so much and never forget you. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done. Joan xx.”
See also page 89 in the Irish Horse World section.