Annaghmore Saturday

ANNAGHMORE last Saturday saw a revival of the fortunes of the Corey barn, based in Willie Rooney country high above Belfast at Glengormley.

The Coreys scored a double and were unlucky that it was not a three timer, but more of that anon.

Kevin Corey’s double as an owner opened when Arts Princess, by sire of the moment Sweet Lou, picked up a hot-looking grade G pace.

The top of the sheet Priceless (Billy Roche) had done battle in North Wales and acquitted herself well.

In the end, Wallace snr came away with the bragging rights in the yard that he sublets to The Red Baron. Arts Princess was prominent, then shuffled back, then came with a vengeance to score in 2.04.1

“She’s a team effort,” said trainer/driver Alan Wallace modestly.

“The Coreys gave her the basics, Anto Malone shod her, Charlie Flanagan treated her back and my assistant Nadina Ironia keeps her sweet.”

The other part of the Corey double was a satisfying first driving win of 2023 for emerging driver Adam Corey aboard Extrem Ryld.

Adam was dealt the worst draw (no.6) in this six-runner contest. The Tyrone runner Feline de Noes (Simon Duggan) set sharp fractions and Adam pounced in the final quarter to win by a length and a half on a day of close finishes.

“He’s a steady old horse,” said Adam. “I’d like to thank our cousin Kevin Rafferty for selling us Extrem Ryld.”

Usual suspects

Proceedings opened with the usual suspects in the four-year-old trotting championship. Sean Kane’s Just Like Mam normally beats the Billy Roche-driven Jezabella Greggane although Cyril Gammell’s mare did upset the odds on one occasion.

On Saturday, the Mooreside mare won although Roche’s charge got to within two lengths.

The punters couldn’t split Meadowbranch Bobby (John Richardson - evens) and Ski From The Top (Patrick Kane jnr at 5/4) for the E to F pace. Meadowbranch Bobby prevailed by a quarter length in 2.01.6. Both animals are nice four-year-olds.

Jonny Cowden scored a double with his father Noel’s Emil Paco and a catch drive on the Lawrence Stewart-trained Sweet Caroline. The latter keeps improving for her young Coleraine based trainer.

Down a grade

“Emil Paco could go up a grade or down a grade before the Red John meeting in Cork,” explained Jonny. “We figured if he couldn’t beat this grade today off the gate, then he’d be better off down a grade.”

Popular veteran Christy ‘Hopper‘ Foran also scored a double. He conjured a lifetime best time out of Stephen McHugh’s Mooreside Captain who took the top grade pace in 1.59.8

A nearly perfect day for the Coreys was marred when Adam Corey was demoted from first to second for going inside the pylons with Franchan de Roche. Hopper Foran was the beneficiary as his Ha’penny Chance was awarded the E to F trot.

Annaghmore intends to race again tomorrow but the entries and attendance will be affected by the massive Vincent Delaney Memorial meeting set to take place at Tir Prince Raceway, Rhyl, North Wales, today and tomorrow (see right).

Full Irish news, results and race cards can be viewed on www.irishharnessracing.com.

Replays from Annaghmore and Ballabuidhe can be watched on the IHRA facebook page.

RHODE, Co Offaly-based breeder Derek Delaney is to trotting what Don King was to boxing.

The Delaney family instigated a two-year-old feature race in Vincent’s memory in 2012. The first few meetings were held at the sadly defunct Portmarnock Raceway.

After a few years the organisers moved the event to North Wales.

The 2023 renewal is the first occasion to warrant three heats for the two-year-old colts with record 25 declared.

The overall prize money is the highest yet at over £150,000. There are races for all age groups of horses.

Dean Spriggs, head of amateur driving in the US, will be in attendance. The Dupler Telle family from the US will be at the meeting and actually sponsor a race. Trainer Rob Harman will be in the crowd.

Live streaming can be purchased on the Vincent Delaney Memorial website and the Tir Prince raceway website.

The voice of The Little Brown Jug, Roger Huston will use his unique style assisted by Darren Owen who is well known in thoroughbred racing circles as well.