EOIN Murphy, a 20-year-old apprentice electrician joined the select few Irish drivers to win a race in France last weekend in Argentan, Normandy.

The West Cork man won the apprentice leg of the two races in the annual France v Ireland trotting challenge at the venue.

Eoin won with Hors Cadre, a six-year-old gelding in a €14,500 contest over 2,150 metres. The Baltimore man said: “The trip is a great experience and it was nice to drive on such a large track. My instructions were ‘get out of the gate and then get cover’. I managed to get a lead and when my horse saw daylight he flew home.”

The race video is available to view on the IHRA facebook page. The driver followed his orders to a ‘T’.

In memory of Youen Jacob

The win had a certain serendipity as a Brittany-born Frenchman came to Eoin’s home town of Baltimore in the 1970s.

Youen Jacob ran a successful fish restaurant in the area and as a pastime he tried hard to promote harness racing in Ireland. The Breton was ahead of his time as he imported several French trotters long before the modern official links between the IHRA and Le TROT.

The late Youen Jacob would be proud of his young neighbour.

Sean Kane was best placed of the Irish senior drivers in their race, as he finished fourth.

The Irish apprentices were Eoin, Adam Corey, Calvin Broughan and Troy McAleer. The fully qualified drivers were Sean Kane, Stephen McHugh, Jimmy Stewart, with brother Wattie, and Pa Manning.

IHRA chairman Mark Flanagan stated: “Massive thanks to Emanuelle Morvillers and Marianne Simmonot of Le TROT and Jacques Frampton of Argentan racecourse who as usual were superb hosts. The event was the ninth renewal. We look forward to welcoming some French drivers to Cork in 2024.”