IB Stables is the American sounding racing name adopted by the Murphy family who are based near Baltimore, West Cork.

The ‘IB’ comes from Inish Beg the picturesque island where the yard is based. The area is surrounded by wooded trails. The brothers use these less since an unfortunate accident which fatally wounded the great Pans Landing.

The Olympic rowers the O’Donovan brothers trained on the Ilen estuary below the farm, so the island is a launch pad for winners on land and on water.

Tadhg (51) holds the trainer’s licence while Donal (49) is still the main driver. Tadhg’s son Eoin (20) is in the top five young drivers in the country. In Ireland, Eoin is driving more frequently against senior drivers. The youngster won the France versus Ireland apprentice race in Argentan, Normandy, last November.

“Eoin has a huge interest in harness racing,” explains his proud father, “but happily he can mix the sport with his job as an apprentice electrician.”

Tadhg has ‘around thirteen’ in work. US-based owner Bill Donovan, a major sponsor in Ireland, has a couple on the roster. Kenmare businessman Finbar Quill was busy at York yearling sales.

The Baltimore outfit is home to the mare Comete Des Landes, a successful foray into trotting by a thoroughbred trainer, namely Thomond O’Mara who shares her with John Madigan.

“We have about six two-year-old pacers. They are all staked up to the major races including the Vincent Delaney Memorial which is set for Wolverhampton. If the horses show us they are ready we’ll have a go. At the same time if they are immature, we leave them off for the next season.”

Murphy is optimistic about the season which is due to open at Annaghmore on April 28th. “There’s a great programme of racing arranged for 2024.”

Tadhg started with a familiar face:

IB PADDINGTON (Ire)

7yo g Foreclosure – Annies Lady

We bred him ourselves, and Bill Donovan is involved. He was so impressive in the late season last year. In his final run he paced 1.58 which is some clock in Ireland.

He used to be very lazy but that seems to be leaving him. If the driver uses the whip, he downs tools.

The fact that so many of the top-grade horses are being sold to the States gives him an opening. He’ll tip away for prize money.

OAKWOOD MAGGIE (Ire)

2yo f Foreclosure – Trendsetter

Finbar Quill went to £25,000 at York sales for this filly. She is out of the same mare as Oakwood Ardan who is five from five at The Meadowlands for West Cork-born trainer Robbie Cleary.

She is a lovely big filly with a nice personality. We try to keep all our young horses in a blind bridle as they learn the ropes. She is staked for the VDM.

DELIGHTFUL BEACH (USA)

2yo f Bettors Delight – La Layla

She belongs to Ryan Callaghan. His cousin, Wayne McNevin, has been a lucky owner for us. She is bred in the purple, and seems to learn quickly.

We let our young horses paddle about without hobbles for a few weeks to strengthen them a bit. It’s early days yet but she has started well.

IB ESPRESSO (Ire)

3yo f Sweet Lou –

Clouds In My Coffee

We own her with Bill (Donovan). She is a full-sister to IB Lily who was a great success for us last year. Paddy Kane trained Lily for us as she needed a hard track. The two fillies are like twins, so here’s hoping. Lily is currently with the Joe Buongornio stable in the US.

BIBI DAIRPET (Fr)

13yo g Qualypso Jiel - Nomade Castelets

I’d better mention a trotter. We still have Bibi Dairpet, Homa, Hippie Sizu and Comete Des Landes, they are all a bit older. Bibi has been some servant. He is so consistent and can race off the front or come from behind. Eoin gets on well with him.

Emmanuelle Morvillers of Le TROT was mad about him when she helped us with the purchase, she was right about him. We have no big plans, he will win what he can.

SEAN Kane from The Naul was recently invited to compete in the Arctic Horse Challenge in Rovaniemi, Finland, over St Patrick’s weekend.

The track is officially within the Arctic circle and temperatures of –14 Celsius are common.

Sean enjoyed the 2023 renewal although he finished down the field. “I’ll know the track and the style of racing better this time,” Sean told a Finnish podcast, “I received some welcome last time and made some new friends.”

“The track is compacted snow which the groundsmen continually freshen up by use of a type of harrow with a circular blade. The horses generally wear studs in their shoes.”

Sean will be racing against the Swede Bjorn Goop who has won the Prix d’ Amérique three times. Daniel Redden, also a Swede, is amongst the opposition alongside the top Finnish reinsmen.

Emma Vare is the sole lady driver. Twelve top drivers in total will race in ‘the home of Santa Claus’.

The format was two races in 2023 but has moved up to three heats this time. Two of the races are for Standardbreds while one race is confined to the indigenous breed, the Finnish Cold Blood.

Most of the Nordic countries race coldbloods. We would describe these as ‘cobs with a step and a bit of speed’.

Sean admired these plucky little horses but did concede that they do need held together.

Each leg of the challenge is for a purse of €5,000. Leading US driver Tim Tetrick was a huge hit with the Finnish crowd in 2019.

The Irish Field will report on Sean’s progress in Lapland, to give the region its other name.