Michael Verney: Punchestown Day 4 – Constitution Hill can reach top in showpiece as Lovely Hurling looks a sound each-way choice
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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Young Kerry jockey celebrates epic Dingle Derby win – ‘It was class'
The north Kerry youngster is one of the best up-and-coming riders in the horse-and-pony racing scene. The precocious 14-year-old certainly stamped his name on the sport by winning a race previously won by greats like Jack Kennedy, Paul Townend and Dylan Browne McMonagle. The son of Katie and Joe Roberts received a rapturous reception from the crowd after he crossed the line as the heavy mist rolled in from Dingle Bay. The 2024 Champion Pony Jockey kept his horse close to the front in a frenetically run race. But it was Billy and Here We Go Again that eventually emerged from the fog to win. 'At the start, he [Here We Go Again] wouldn't travel with me but after I got him going he was half running away with me everywhere. We went at slower fractions than last year, and he just flew home. There was no horse going to beat him,' Billy told The Kerryman. 'It was a class feeling. I couldn't believe it when crossing the line. It's the Cheltenham of horse-and-pony racing. I thought I was after going a lap too early, but thank God I didn't,' he added. Billy rides out every weekend at the Athea yard of trainer Eoin McCarthy – a major help in Billy's career. Gary Noonan is another from the yard that Billy looks up to, while his idol is fellow Kerry man and ace jockey Jack Kennedy. 'They know their way around horses, that's for sure. They help me and inspire me to keep going,' Billy said. Billy rode a four timer at Ballybunion in June and is on six winners for the season. He says he will continue to work hard and take the opportunities that come his way. In terms of future ambitions, he wouldn't mind taking on some of the sport's biggest meetings. 'People like Jackie Mulvihill and John Long got me started last year with my first winner. I'm just delighted with the start I got. I suppose I wouldn't mind winning the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle someday, or something along those lines,' he said. For Billy's family, watching the Dingle action unfold was as much exciting as it was nervous. They were overjoyed for Billy as it rewards his hard work and dedication. Billy started out with riding lessons from Laura Collins in Ballinclogher West aged nine. The link with horse-and-pony racing comes from his father's side of the family – a Wexford native – whose cousin took part in the sport. 'We went to one race meeting to watch it and that was it. Billy just loved it. Even though he didn't start horse riding until he was about nine, that didn't stop him from riding the rocking horse around the house, or any armchair and couch he could find. He just loves it,' said Katie. 'We celebrated in Dingle on Sunday night in Paul Geaney's Bar and Barr Na Sraide because they both sponsored the cup. We had a great time. Billy's taking the day off today,' she said.
Irish Independent
04-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Wicklow man to honour late grandmother by riding in Cancer Trials Ireland fundraiser
Cian Fenelon will be taking part in the Pat Smullen Charity Race at the Curragh on August 30, which will raise funds for Cancer Trials Ireland, the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland. In 2023, Cian was selected to ride in the charity race at the Punchestown Festival, and managed to raise €1,830 for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, having set himself a fundraising target of €1,500. Now, all his focus is on the upcoming charity race. He said: 'Cancer is a battle that many of us know all too well. It has personally touched my life through the struggles of my family and friends. Losing my grandmother Lylah Gaskin to cancer in 2020, and witnessing loved ones battle as opened my eyes to how devastating this disease is. 'That's why I've decided to participate in the Pat Smullen charity race, an event dedicated to supporting Cancer Trials Ireland. Cancer Trials Ireland plays a crucial role in pioneering new cancer treatments and trials that offer hope to countless individuals and families facing this disease. The race is held in memory of the late Pat Smullen, a brilliant jockey and pioneer for cancer research.' With more than 24,000 people diagnosed with cancer each year in Ireland, Cancer Trials Ireland is dedicated to finding new ways to prevent, find and treat cancer. It currently has more than 110 trials open and is recruiting new patients and has succeeded in offering research options to over 9000 patients across Ireland in the last fifteen years. As part of his efforts, Cian has established an idonate page and has set himself a fundraising target of €3,000. Cian added: 'Taking part in this race is a true honour, and I am grateful to Pat Smullen's daughter Hannah, and the entire Smullen family for organising such a meaningful day. "By donating to this cause, you are supporting Cancer Trials Ireland's critical mission of advancing research and trials that have the potential to save lives. Your generosity will directly contribute to innovative cancer care, offering new possibilities to those who need it most. 'Every euro donated not only honours Pat Smullen's memory but also moves us closer to a world where cancer is no longer a threat.'
Irish Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Galway Races tips Friday: Robbie Power's selections for day 5
Jarrive De Mee makes his debut over fences at the Galway Races this evening and is very interesting for Willie and Patrick Mullins. The 2m6½f Beginners Chase at 5.30 is a fascinating contest and if Jarrive De Mee can translate his hurdles form to the bigger obstacles, he could be hard to beat. This six-year-old won three consecutive races at odds-on last season, with connections finding good opportunities at Catterick and Haydock after a debut victory at Thurles. He then finished fourth behind stablemate and Albert Bartlett winner Jasmin De Vaux at the Punchestown Festival. The son of Authorised was beaten nine lengths by the winner that day and that is good form. Patrick knows the horse well, having partnered him in all four of his starts since joining the powerful Closutton team, and is back on board today. He should go very close. There are a lot of horses in the opening race (5.00) having their first ever run and I'm going to side with one who has experience. That is Johnny Murtagh's Bellamano, who finished second at Killarney last month, having been fifth of 17 on debut at Leopardstown a month beforehand. The Blazers Handicap at 6.00 is as competitive as ever, but there are plenty of horses in it that are well exposed. I won this race on Mindsmadeup for Matthew Smith back five years ago and the Meath trainer looks to have another good chance this time around with Moonovercloon. But the horse I like in the Blazers is Native Speaker for Henry de Bromhead. Henry de Bromhead (Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher) He disappointed on his last start at the Punchestown Festival, but his run before that when third and beaten only half a length at Fairyhouse in December behind Judicieuse Allen is strong form. If he can leave his last run behind, he could be well handicapped for the same stable that won this race in both 2022 and 2023. The Guinness Handicap over 1m4f at 6.35 is wide open and it's hard to pick one out. Jessica Harrington's team are in great form, especially her older horses and Mo Ghille Mar was a winner last time out when scoring at Down Royal. She has to have a big chance, but you also need to keep an eye on Willie Mullins' runner Lope De Lilas for Wathnan Racing, who was well beaten at the Curragh at the end of June. However, she has some decent form in the book and could go close here, but preference is for Mo Ghille Mar. In the Fillies Maiden over 1m4f at 7.10, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Jannah Star has finished second as favourite in her last two races and she can maybe get her head in front this time. Those runs came at Bellewstown and the Curragh and she was also a beaten favourite on her debut when third at Limerick. However, this looks like a pretty ordinary contest and it could be fourth time lucky for Jannah Star. A handicap over 1m½f is the third last contest at 7.40 and Ribee looks to have a good chance for Michael Mulvaney and Wesley Joyce. He hasn't been seen in almost three months and finished second on his last two starts at Gowran Park and Galway. The fact that he looks to have been put away for this race says a lot and he might just be the one here. Cheltenham Festival bumper winner A Dream To Share won a Leopardstown maiden well last time out and is fancied in the Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Race at 8.10 over 1m6f. And Pralognan should go close in the last race of the day, a handicap over 1m6f for Tony Martin after winning his last two races. Bet of the day - Jarrive De Mee 8.40
