2011

THE Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue TD, has this week announced the formation of a new body, Horse Sport Ireland.

Joe Walsh TD, chairman of the Irish Horse Board, will head the 18-member board of directors. The board will include four SJAI representatives, five members from the Irish Horse Board and two representatives from Eventing Ireland.

Dressage Ireland will have one nominee, and there are single representatives from the Army Equitation School, the RDS, the Irish Pony Club/Irish Pony Society, AIRC/AIRE, and the ILDRA/CDA/PEI.

In a comment on the formation of the new body, Minister O’Donoghue said that it would “bring about greater organisational efficiencies for the benefit of the sport horse sector. The challenges facing the new organisation are significant, but I am confident that the knowledge, expertise and commitment of the chairman and the board will result in a bright future for our equestrian sports.”

At first sight the board seems to be strongly loaded in favour of the breeding sector, but the nomination of six directors from the mainstream sports redresses the balance. The EFI, in fact, has eight directors in total, two of them representing minor disciplines.

The new body has been years in the making, largely due to the jockeying for position by the various sectors of the industry.

The latest shape is the result of work carried out by Michael Dowling, former secretary general of the Department of Agriculture. One of his recommendations was that there should be an independent chairman, and it was at one stage believed that he himself would be given the position.

Joe Walsh, during his years as Minister for Agriculture and since October 2005 as chairman of the IHB, has taken a keen interest in breeding. He has been a committed supporter of the concept of a single, unified representative body for all sectors of the industry. He brings to his new role a deep knowledge of the horse industry, proven management skills and an ability to get to the heart of issues.

The Equestrian Federation of Ireland moved quickly to express its support for the board and its new chairman. In a statement. Charles Powell, chairman of the EFI, wished Mr Walsh every success and assured him of its support for the development of Horse Sport Ireland.

Mullins saddles his first treble

1961

COUNTY Kilkenny trainer Paddy Mullins had his first ever treble at Powerstown Park, Clonmel on Wednesday, when he sent out Height O’Fashion, Cabin Fever and Beggar Lady to win their respective races.

Nine years ago, at Dundalk, Mullins had his first double, and in between times has sent out a fine percentage of winners from his comparatively small string at Goresbridge. Another man in the news was Pat Taaffe who recorded a double on Cabin Fever and Brown Knight.

The layers went 5/1 the field in the Cahir Hurdle and the joint-favourites, Height O’Fashion and Dandy Hall, finished first and second, the former scoring by a length and a half. In the straight T.F. Lacy put in some strong work on Height O’Fashion to keep his mount at the head of affairs.

The Mullins treble was completed when Beggar Lady, with Mr Francis Flood in the saddle, won an exciting race for the Killenaule Plate. Mr Flood had to work really hard here to land his mount a three-parts of a length scorer from Lady Flame.

Salmon leaps to lower War’s colours

2006

BEEF Or Salmon and War Of Attrition had their fourth confrontation in last Saturday’s James Nicholson Wine Merchant Chase at Down Royal. The score stood at 2 to 1 in favour of War Of Attrition, and Mouse Morris’ Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was sent off the 4/7 favourite.

Beef Or Salmon, beaten two and a half lengths by him in last April’s Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown and some 19 lengths at Cheltenham, was a well-supported second choice in the market. If anything, Beef Or Salmon looked a bit tighter than War Of Attrition beforehand, the benefit of that run over hurdles at Fairyhouse, a fortnight previously, being apparent.

Less than a length behind jumping the final fence, Beef Or Salmon had the stands’ side berth on the run in and stayed on the strongest, getting on top inside the last half a furlong to hold on for a neck victory. Justified was 13 lengths away in third place, with 100/1 chance Light On The Broom picking up €5,600 for finishing fourth.

Despite his huge popularity with northern racegoers, this was only Beef Or Salmon’s second appearance at Down Royal for owners Joe Craig and Joe McLarnon. His previous outing at the track saw him win this same race in 2004, beating Kicking King. Earlier that same week War Of Attrition won his beginners’ chase at Thurles!

Trainer Michael Hourigan wasn’t present to see his stable star winning for the first time since beating Hedgehunter in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown last February, six races previously. Attending the wedding of his niece, Rosemary Nash, he was quoted as saying: “He’s not done with yet. I was thrilled with that performance.”

The 10-year-old Beef Or Salmon has a new partner this season in Andrew McNamara, and they seem to have gelled perfectly. “I thought I was beaten before the third last, but after the next I thought I had a chance. Jumping the last I knew we’d win. There are plenty of options open for Beef Or Salmon, with the Betfair Chase at Haydock, a race he finished second in to Kingscliff last season, a tempting possibility with its valuable bonus.”

As regards War Of Attrition, Morris shrugged his shoulders, while his owner, Michael O’Leary, suggested that it was no disgrace to be beaten by a hose like Beef Or Salmon.

[Two weeks later Beef Or Salmon was runner-up to Kauto Star in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, was second to The Listener in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase before gaining revenge in the Grade 1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. After that his form generally declined and his final start was at the Punchestown Festival in 2008.

He won a point-to-point, twice on the flat, twice in bumpers and twice over hurdles before excelling over fences, winning 13 times. He won the Hennessy Gold Cup three times, the Champion Chase at Down Royal twice, the Lexus Chase twice, the John Durkan Chase and the Punchestown Gold Cup, all Grade 1 races.]

Canty gallops to another championship title

1931

JOSEPH [Joe] Canty, despite being kept out of the saddle twice this year because of accidents, has gained the championship for the seventh time (57 wins), and for the third year in succession. He was top of the table also in 1919, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1929 and 1930.

Had he not been compelled to cease riding, his total might have approached that of last year when he gained 91 winners. His dash remains with him; there is no indication that increasing age – we think he is in the middle 30s – is dulling his brilliance. It is not invidious to write that he is now, as he has been for many previous years, a jockey of outstanding skill.

Whether on a green two-year-old over a sprint course, or on a stayer in a distance race, his judgement and resource are exceptional. His hands are light, and the vigour he imparts into a finish is equalled by, perhaps, only two other jockeys.

Canty is the most observant of all our riders. Almost invariably he can give the required information on the merits of the performance not only of his own mount, but of nearly every other runner as well.

[Three times champion apprentice, Joe Canty did not win the championship again, though he continued to ride classic winners in Ireland until 1948. He won the Irish 1000 Guineas five times, the Irish Derby and 2000 Guineas on four occasions, and the Irish Oaks and St Leger on two occasions each.

Born in 1897, Joe Canty trained for a period after retiring from the saddle, and he died in 1971]