FOLLOWING on from his treble in Carrickadawson on Saturday, Sam Ewing went even better on Carrowniskey Strand Races in Louisburgh, Co Mayo as he recorded a fabulous five-timer in front of a huge crowd.

Little Mainne took the opener when Sam got Buddy Harrison’s charge home for a hard-fought length win from the Zak Kent-ridden The Blacksmith.

The 14.2hh race produced a thrilling finish where Sam got Susie Q got home by a fast diminishing head from the Sean Cleary ridden Harper’s Pet after an exciting duel over the final couple of furlongs. It was nearly a fairytale start for 15-year-old Sean who was having his first ride in pony racing.

Sean’s father (Sean F. Cleary) won the Dingle Derby on Dinn Ri in 1998 for the Bergin family from Shanahoe in Co Laois before going on to ride successfully on the racecourse in a career that was so tragically cut short in 2003.

Challenge

Sam had an easier task in the next race as Peaky Blinders took the 15hh race in convincing fashion. Only three faced the starter for the 14-furlong race and Sam sat at the back throughout until coming to challenge before the two-furlong marker.

It was only in the last 50 yards the Finnerty family-owned Mr James got past a resolute Last Chance Paddy. The five-timer was completed in the mile race where Keeper Hill drew clear having led from halfway to win for P.J. Donnelly.

The non-winners’ race went to Sinead Lohan’s Silver Dollar who stretched clear over the final two furlongs to win impressively in the hands of Brandon Wilkie, and the mile race went to the Buddy Harrison-owned and Gearoid Brouder-ridden Try Your Best.

There was also two local pony races on the card and the first went to James Costello who won on Galahad. At the end of the card the second local pony race and Galahad secured his own double as he won this one also, this time ridden by Luke Devery.

Results

13.2HH Race (1M): 1, B. Harrison’s LITTLE MAINNE (Sam Ewing); 2, T. Beegan’s THE BLACKSMITH (Zak Kent); 3, T. Beegan’s LITTLE LIONESS (Leah Mahon).

Local Pony Race: 1, GALAHAD (James Costello); 2, Sea Breeze (Gearoid Brouder); 3, Amber (Leah Mahon).

14.2HH Race (1M): 1, M. Cherak’s SUSIE Q (Sam Ewing); 2, J. Lynch’s HARPER’S PET (Sean Cleary); 3, M. Costello’s TITANIUM (James Costello).

15HH Race (1M): 1, Finnerty Family’s PEAKY BLINDERS (Sam Ewing); 2, D. Donnelly’s SHOTGUN (Robert Whearty); 3, D&K Racing’s LOUIS VITTON (Ryan Sexton).

Open Horse Race (14F): 1, Finnerty Family’s MR JAMES (Sam Ewing); 2, B. Harrison’s LAST CHANCE PADDY (Gearoid Brouder); 3, Finnerty Family’s UNDERCOVER (Robert Whearty).

Non-Winners Race (10F): 1, S. Lohan’s SILVER DOLLAR (Brandon Wilkie); 2, Finnerty Family’s NON POSITIVE (Ryan Sexton); 3, T. McCarthy’s STARMAN (Robert Whearty).

Open Horse Race (11F): 1, B. Harrison’s TRY YOUR BEST (Gearoid Brouder); 2, Errismore Racing’s UPPSALA (Brandon Wilkie); 3, D&M Equine’s THE VETERAN (Wesley Johnson).

Open Horse Race (1M): 1, 1, P.J. Donnelly’s KEEPER HILL (Sam Ewing); 2, A. Gallagher’s PACK YOUR BAGS (Brandon Wilkie); 3, A. Brennan’s LISA’S FANCY (Robert Whearty).

Local Pony Race: 1, Galahad (Luke Devery); 2, Dan Lucky (Shauna O’Malley); 3, Feenone Gray (Ciara Nevin).

THE Northern Region race in Bundoran, Co Donegal, today Saturday with a 3.30pm start.

The Southern Region are in Broadford, Co Limerick, tomorrow, Sunday with a 1.30pm start. This will be followed by Taghmon Races in Wexford on Sunday July 21st where the funds raised will go to Co Wexford Hospice Homecare.

The next Midlands Region Meeting is due to be held in Clifden as Errismore Races take place beside Ballyconneely Golf Club on Saturday July 28th with a 1pm start.

Passing of Tom Mollahan

THE horse and pony racing scene lost a great friend this week with the passing of Tom Mollahan, Cannistown, Navan, Co Meath.

A former chair of the Midlands association, Tom also served as secretary and treasurer of the national body. Almost every pony racing committee in Ireland dealt with Tom in securing insurance for their meeting.

Kieran Egan, who served on committees with Tom, said: “Tom was a very honest and trustworthy man, who did a great job for horse and pony racing. He wanted to promote jockeys all the time and he was very conscious of safety issues.”

Tom is survived by his wife Anna and their three daughters.