THE harness racing community pulled out all the stops last Sunday for a memorial day.

Tomorrow (11th) was scheduled to be the last meeting ever at Portmarnock but the regulars seemed determined to party on an all-trophy day.

North To Alaska and owner/driver Noel Ryan took the laurels in the Gerry Farmer Memorial high grade pace. The combination beat Meadowbranch Dynasty with useful apprentice Oisin Quill in 2min 04.5sec.

The winner is a link to old Richardson breeding as he has Grand Prix and Rippling River in his pedigree.

Driver Noel is a grandson of Hughie Richardson who built the track originally with WJ Mc Enery of nearby Beechwood Stud, a thoroughbred nursery.

The tourists and families hoping for a carriage ride around St Stephen’s Green on Sunday may have experienced a taxi shortage. A group of the regular jarveys took the afternoon off to honour the late Gerry Farmer who worked the city centre with them. Rasher Briscoe was in fine voice.

John Richardson wanted to end on a winner at Portmarnock. He stood down on Sunday so Cash All, three weeks ago is his final winner at the track where he grew up.

Charlie Flanagan is an able substitute for JR. She buzzed recent import Isora de Source out of the gate and made all to win the Tommy Doyle Memorial. Ha’penny Chance (Hopper Foran) trotted well for second.

As our photos will confirm, the quarry dust at Portmarnock provides a mud pack to rival any beauty salon.

The Hanson family have been a constant at the track throughout its existence. Joe, Bobby, George and the rest made the long journey from Portrush long before motorways were created.

Appreciate

Old Hughie Richardson used to appreciate the effort the Hansons made to compete. Ryan Hanson, grandson of Joe got on the score sheet in the venues final hours.

Ryan won the clockwise trot with Esperanza Lou Lou (4/1) who was sporting a trace clip. The mare was bought from the mighty Meadowbranch outfit mid-season.

‘’That’s my first ever win at Portmarnock,” Ryan told The Irish Field. He has a better record around Annaghmore.

The 5/4 favourite Helios de Larre got to within two lengths for Ashbourne man Joseph Caffrey. The time of 3m 20.1sec for 2400 metres will not send any ripples to Vincennes but Esperanza Lou Lou is a genuine sort who deserved a race.

The Loughrans from Omeath know a racehorse when they get their hands on one. They seem to have drawn a nice prospect in the shape of Elysium d’Ostal. The eight-year-old with his striking white face ran out a 16-length winner of the Ned Maguire Memorial for driver Martin Loughran.

Epsom de Corvees trotted his heart out to be second for Darren Timlin. The latest consignment of French Trotters look to be useful.

Seventeen-year-old John Boy Roche and One Cool Touch were suffering from ‘seconditis’ in recent weeks. Billy Roche’s nephew and right-hand man gave ‘The Touch’ a confident drive to take the John Smith Memorial.

Portersown Roman and Patrick Kane jnr were second, a nice scalp for young John Boy. The race went 2min 07sec and the winner started the 4/6 favourite.

Charlie Flanagan’s boyfriend Oisin Quill equalled her win when he picked up the Joe Haide Memorial aboard Romanz. The son of Back In The Saddlepan made no mistakes here.

Hopper Foran won a little three-horse race with J and Ks Closure for owner Daniel Hyland. Ballycoan Arron (Patrick Kane jnr) came at the winner at the three-quarter pole but made a costly break.

Jonathan Nixon stated that his grandfather had raced Way To Go at the first meeting in 1969 and that he was proud to have a runner at the finale.

Each race on the day had two gorgeous Friesian outriders owned by Thomas Clarke.

Thomas mentioned that the horses are available for weddings and funerals so we have to reward his sense of marketing.