THE Irish Harness Racing Association recently announced the starting date for the 2022 season, Sunday, March 27th at Portmarnock.

Those with precocious, speedy types will be hoping to steal some easy pickings in the early meetings, usually weaker cards. Trainers handling slow-developing types will be counting backwards from the mid-season highlights such at the M50 Weekend and the Red John Weekend in August.

We begin the 2022 ‘Five to Follow’ series with two stables from the opposite ends of the country. Walter and Carmel Stewart are based at Coleraine, Co Derry and can see the hills of Donegal as they work horses on majestic Benone Strand. Son Lawrence (34) is taking a big interest and is doing two for an outside owner.

South

And 380 miles to the south, the Murphy brothers enjoy the milder climate at Baltimore helped by the Gulf Stream. Tadhg (49) holds the trainer’s licence while Donal (47) is the main driver for the barn.

Tadhg’s son Eoin is an emerging talent in the driving ranks and will acquit himself well when the yard has multiple entries.

The IB Stables also use a beach, beautiful Inchydoney Strand and by contrast, they are only 10 minutes by ferry to Sherkin Island.

There might be a huge distance between our subjects and the accents might seem like different languages but there are many similarities. Both operations are family based. The two stables are masters at aiming a horse for a particular race.

Walter Stewart (64) has won the big prize at Musselburgh, Tregaron and Tir Prince in his time. The Ballyrashane yard has been a regular conveyor belt of champions with Elwy Bill, Lakeside Fox, Boldron Buddy and For A Few Dollars More just a few examples.

The Murphys have tasted success at Tregaron, Appleby and Boughrood. Donal drove Porterstown Jack to win Musselburgh on his first visit to the track. Stars from Innis Beg Island have included IB Coyote (a Delaney winner), Toms The Man, Silvano Bello and the ill-fated Pans Landing.

A bit like a top flight football team, the problem is that success becomes addictive. Both Tadhg and Walter will be disappointed if 2022 does not yield at least one major handicap and a two- or three-year-old classic.

Last year the Murphys won the All-Ireland Trot with Comete des Landes and had a one-two in the Bernie Kelly Memorial with the same mare and Bibi Dairpet.

The Stewarts produced Ladyford Conquest to win first time out. They won nine races over the year. Of course it’s sweeter still when you own the source of the fountain (For A Few Dollars More is at stud).

Donal and Tadhg have a key link to Florida-based businessman Bill Donovan an important owner in their yard and main sponsor of the Red John Memorial usually held in August.

TADHG Murphy told The Irish Field about these five from nine animals he has in work:

IB LILY (Ire)

3yo f Sweet Lou - Clouds In My Coffee

We part own her with Bill Donovan. We trained the dam who met a setback. An unraced dam would not put me off, in fact I think they breed well. Her half-brother Desparate Man won the North America Cup.

COMETE DES LANDES (Fr)

10yo m New des Landes - Ouvea du Vivier.

As you have often reported, owned by Thomond O’Mara and John Madigan from the thoroughbred world. She picked up an injury mid-season last year yet still had a big year.

Having a horse for Thomond or Keith McGloin is a pleasure because they understand how fragile horses can be.

BANDERILLERO PIYA (Fr)

11yo g Defi d’Anjou - La Cocherie.

He’s some character. He plays up awful behind the car every week yet is as good as gold once the gate leaves. He was 4-12-8 from 33 starts last year, not too bad for a chancy old gelding. He’ll hopefully run most weeks again. Aidan Hayes owns him.

BIBI DAIRPET (Fr)

11yo g Qualypso Jiel - Nomade Castlelets.

He’s a classy sort but maybe a grade below a true free-for-all horse. Donal can drive him from the front or covered up. An uncomplicated horse, he belongs to Keith Mc Gloin. He goes with a loose check.

VALANZANA (Fr)

13yo m - Kalahari - Palanzana.

The owners Griffin, Wallace and Quill have lent her to Eoin for the apprentice series. She can be fidgety to do but she is a tough race mare. Eoin should knock some fun out of her.

Walter Stewart and For A Few Dollars More Nadina Ironia

WALTER Stewart usually has his horses ready early. He gave insights on the following five:

LADYFORD DOLLAR (GB)

6yo g For A Few Dollars More - Ladyford Ideal

Our current stable star I suppose. He underwent a wind operation the same day that I had a broken wrist strengthened. I was long reining a youngster and she bolted.

He wasn’t seeing out the mile so Jim Slane, our vet, arranged a wind procedure. The horse has loads of ability.

CAPTAINS SECRET (USA)

3yo f Captain Treacherous - Dark Secret

She qualified in 2:11 at two for John Gill. The breeding is more Delaware than Dublin. She has filled out well and has a nice temperament. The Black Horse series is our main target.

LADYFORD CONQUEST (GB)

4yo f Arts Conquest - Frisco Dancer

She was a bit fiery when we started her off but she has settled now. She just needed time. The Ladyford horses are bred by my cousin Jim in Cumbria. Lawrence is jogging her and says she is straightforward.

LADYFORD BUCK (GB)

5yo g For A Few Dollars More - Frisco Dancer.

He went 1:58 or 1:59 when Gavin Murdock had him. Bobby Barry owns and I’m convinced there’s a decent handicap in him.

RHYDS ECLIPSE (GB)

4yo f Hasty Hall - Kentucky Sunshine.

Another that Lawrence is training for Bobby Barry. Hasty Hall has been the top sire for years. She is a full-sister to Rhyds Rainbow who broke the British record. She is a nice prospect and still a maiden.