Red John Memorial Preview

“SAMES clowns – different towns”, as photographer Pat Healy is fond of saying.

The horses and the drivers leave the neon lights, candy floss and night clubs of Rhyl and head for the contented cattle and the rattle of silage trailers in rural Lyre, near Dunmanway today and tomorrow.

When 27-year-old harness enthusiast John O’Donovan died in a farmyard accident in 2014 nobody could have predicted that the Red John Memorial would become the premier meeting, on any surface, in Ireland.

The fixture has mushroomed from humble beginnings. Landowner Ger Hegarty goes above his responsibilities to ensure a flat and well-drained surface. The track is on a par with the fields at Tregaron and Appleby although the slight climb around the far turn has been known to catch out certain reinsmen who thought they were home and hosed.

A committee of locals, Dubliners and Northerners have arranged 18 races across the two days.

Two free-for-alls

In a slight change of format, the top-class horses are being kept out of the heats and finals competitions. The best six trotters and the best six pacers will do battle in two free-for-alls (like ‘the open’ at a point-to-point) for the Maven Trophy and the Red John Trophy, respectively.

The Maven Trots are named after an all-conquering mare owned by principal sponsor Bill Donovan of Florida. The meeting is also backed by Le TROT of France, the IHRA and various local businesses. Approximately €50,000 is the prize fund.

The middle grade horses will race in heats on the Saturday with probably the first three home qualifying for day two. Two races in as many days is nothing to a fit French Trotter or American standardbred.

The French governing body, Le TROT are bringing five of their top-drivers for an Ireland versus France driving contest. The visitors won five races on this card in 2022.

The fixture will have a bar on site. A bouncy castle will be provided for children. Bradfield Catering from Ballineen serve cod, locally caught at Union Hall. If you have never been to a harness fixture, they don’t get much better.

Racing commences at 2pm both days. The track is halfway between Enniskeane and Clonakilty and is right on the roadside. The remainder of the card can be viewed at irishharnessracing.com

A delayed stream is on the Irish Harness Racing Facebook page while the entire season’s races can be watched at any time.

At time of going to post only the free-for-all entries were published. The draw is crucial in harness racing and readers are advised not to re-mortgage their house until the post positions are known.

Red John Free-For-All Pace (Sat)

AYR PAPARAZZI: Owner J Moloney, Driver O Quill - hard knocking racehorse – gave Northern Pride a scare here in July – will need a dream trip to win but driver is clever.

BLUE SHOWDOWN: Owner T O’Reilly, Driver Cian O’Reilly – in a bit deep here. However, every time he has gone up in grade he has improved. No forlorn hope.

TEDDY CAMDEN: Owner D McCarthy, Driver D McCarthy. Regally bred and stabled in good yards all his life. Has come back to form this season.

NORTHERN PRIDE: Owner M McAleer, Driver T McAleer. Likely favourite. Unbeatable so far in 2023. Second season driver has made few mistakes.

RHYDS RIVAL: Owner D Joyce, Driver B Roche. His handicap has been protected like a precious antique. The Red Baron (Billy Roche) in the bike is worth two seconds.

NEWTOWN JODY: Owner Viv Gill, Driver Vicky Gill. Bred by the late Liam Wallace. English trained. Vicky has great strike rate on Irish forays. Close third in 1.56.6 at VDM.

DUC D’ARRY: Owner D O’Reilly, Driver D O’Reilly. Probably the fastest in the race but makes the odd break. Cannot afford a skip at this level.

COMETE DES LANDES: Owner Murphy/Madigan/O’Mara. Driver D Murphy Has been a cash cow for thoroughbred connections. Capable of winning but has been beaten by Duc d’Arry and Fina Mix on occasions.

CALIMERO BROUETS: Owner Plasy Bloodstock, Driver M Evans. Welsh raider. The French Trotters of England and those of Ireland rarely meet in races so hard to gauge. Has a nice CV.

FINA MIX: Owner F Quill, Driver O Quill - Speedy sort. Driven by audacious youngster. On her best form this is within her grasp. Cannot afford to let Duc d’Arry or Comete des Landes get first run.

EPSOM DE CORVEES: Owner D Timlin, Driver D Timlin. It takes a lot of diesel to get from Fermanagh to Clonakilty. Speed like a pacer but can also gallop like Paddington. Will be a working man’s price.

ECRIN DE GRIMAULT: Owner J Morgan, Driver N Ryan. The pride of Omeath. Two for two around the stiff track at Vicarstown. However, these horses will take a bit of beating. Does best work in final quarter