CAROLINE McCaldin prevented Wexford trainers from going through the card as the 2022/23 point-to-point season kicked off on Saturday at Toomebridge where a point-to-point last took place on October 3rd, 2020.

The breakthrough finally came in the concluding James Kernohan & Sons six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden where Brian Dunleavy brought up a double on the McCaldin-trained Ballymagee who saw off the Colin Bowe-trained Gouazec by five lengths.

The winner, a Kayf Tara six-year-old, was returning to pointing for a second time with his last two runs being over hurdles, viz at Down Royal over Christmas last year, when he finished 13th of 15, and roughly two weeks earlier at Catterick where, ridden by Noel McParlan, he finished third of 10. Ballymagee is trained by McCaldin for her husband Alan.

The opening four-year-old mares’ maiden at the Mid Antrim fixture was run in memory of the late Marshall Fleming and it was great to learn that his good friend Brenda Ross, with whom Marshall owned some useful horses over the years, was back in her position as course announcer and has also achieved her goal of getting back into the saddle.

Volunteers

Among those volunteers filling the important and much-appreciated role of fences stewards were regular Mid Antrim followers Diane Gibson and Barbara Dixon who are also well-known in the showing and eventing worlds. (See page 50).

Warren Ewing was out of luck with his two runners on Saturday but his journey south to Castletown-Geoghegan the following afternoon paid off as he saddled the twice-previously raced Rock My Way to land the opening Tattersalls NH four-year-old maiden.

The Getaway gelding, who was ridden by Dara McGill, was bred by Ewing’s neighbour, Barbara Hanna, out of the unraced Old Vic mare Far Rock who comes from the family of Fataliste, Jeu de Paille and So French.

The feature race on the opening day, Friday, is the WKD Hurdle, the richest hurdle race in Northern Ireland, while the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase will be run on the Saturday.

Emma Meehan, Chief Executive of Down Royal racecourse, said: “Down Royal is firmly on the map as one of Ireland’s premier sporting destinations and our first-class facilities, coupled with our impressive stable of sponsors and some of the most exhilarating horse racing in the country, sees thousands of seasoned and first-time racegoers alike flock to the Festival.

“We have a longstanding partnership with Ladbrokes and are delighted to have the brand on board again as lead sponsor of our two-day Festival of Racing.

Big names

“Racegoers can expect to see some big-name runners and riders on the racecard. The first Grade 1 chase of the 2021/22 National Hunt season had a field of five runners who had all tasted success at the Cheltenham Festival in the past.

“Frodon and Bryony Frost held off Galvin in a thrilling finish and we look forward to another strong field for 2022.

“We are anticipating a record crowd of over 10,000 punters over the two days and with the venue and track both in tip-top condition, it promises to be a superb day out for all.”

Nicola McGeady, Ladbrokes Head of PR, commented: “Ladbrokes has a long and proud association with top-class horse racing and we are thrilled to be back at Down Royal. Last year’s race was really special and we can’t wait to see what this year’s renewal brings.”

Speaking of Friday’s feature race, Brendan Loughran, Head of Business Unit Ireland, SHS Drinks, which owns the WKD brand, said: “WKD is delighted to continue its long and proud association with horse racing at Down Royal.

The Festival of Racing is a highlight in the racing and social calendar and we’re thrilled that WKD is once again sponsoring the Grade 2 Hurdle.”