WHO needs Frankie Dettori?

Listowel Racecourse got as much publicity out of Frankie’s non-appearance this week than they would have generated had the Italian parachuted in with a cornetto in each hand.

The coup de grace was securing Oisin Murphy to jet in on Tuesday, the Kerryman surprisingly riding in the Kingdom for the first time in his career.

Racecourse photographer and former Listowel chairman Pat Healy takes up the story: “We wanted to have a celebrity jockey for Tuesday’s flat card and, when the Frankie thing fell through, there was only one man to call.”

It was just a week before the Festival when Pat contacted Oisin. “He said he’d have to wait and see the six-day declarations in England. Once both Andrew Balding and Qatar Racing were happy to release him, Oisin said he would come, no problem.”

Mark Enright booked Oisin’s rides, including his winner, and Pat reached out to Ballydoyle to get Oisin on a horse with a good chance in the two-year-old race.

“Another piece of the jigsaw fell into place when Oisin’s cousins William and Nolan Byrne from Dualla flew Oisin over and back on their plane. He was home by 7pm,” Pat reported.

“The weather on the day wasn’t great but there was a great buzz here. Between the Murphys and the Cullotys, Oisin had 27 family members here, including his grandmother who was so proud to see him riding in Kerry for the first time. It was a great day for him and his family.”

Top marks to all involved – Listowel has always been quick to go the extra mile to ensure that racegoers are entertained. There is a best dressed competition every day at the Harvest Festival, including today (Saturday) when the theme is vintage clothing. We can think of plenty of racing professionals who have no choice but to wear vintage clothing every day. It should be competitive!