The Irish Trotting & Harness Racing Federation (ITHRF) held their annual awards night at The West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen on Saturday 14th November last with a good crowd of all ages in attendance at the Trotting and Harness Racing “Oscars Night”.
With the Winter Road Racing Season and the Summer Turf Harness Racing Meet just past, both were successful albeit the final two Summer meeting falling foul to the weather.
The Winter Season saw owner/trainer Jerimiah O’Mahony from Dunmanway having his best year. His pacer Meadowlands Falcon took the gong for Horse of the Year and O’Mahony also took the trainers award.
David Brickley was once again crowned Male Jockey of the year with Dream Maker, Cam’s Decision and Meadowbranch McCoy contributing to his winning tally .
Female jockey went to Deirdre Goggin from Goleen, a hugely popular figure on the circuit. Marie Moloney was runner up to Goggin.
The Summer Racing saw a welcome return to the “Cornfield Oval” In Manch, probably one of the finest grass tracks in Ireland and The Red John O’Donovan Memorial Race Day was a poignant tribute to “Red John” who passed away tragically in January.
Cruise Howard was crowned Horse of the Year for owner Caroline O’Brien and wins included The George Deane Memorial and The PJ & Kathleen Memoria, both major handicaps on the West Cork racing calendar.
The Murphy family from Innishbeg In Baltimore were well represented in the awards list.
Donal Murphy was winner of the Driver of The Year with his brother Tadhg taking the Trainers title.
The Le Trot Series came to West Cork in 2015 and Silviano Bello was voted trotter of the year in the region and is trained by the “Murphy Boys” who own him in partnership with Skibbeeren based Brian O’Neill a well-known breeder of Thoroughbreds, and this is his first venture into Standardbred racing.
Veteran owner/trainer and driver, John Boyle, saw his Supreme Sunshine claim the Mare Of The Year Award and a rousing reception was given to this popular Doneraile Native.
Saddle Racing has always been important in West Cork and this year there was a ridden race for the pacers each race day.
Shelley Brickley was female jockey while Luke Kelleher took the leading male pilot. The apprentice jockeys were also recognised for their endeavours Sean Twomey, Oisin Quill, Cian O’Reilly, Conor Hurley and Kate O’Leary, all received a presentation.
Ringo Kid was Saddle Horse of the Year and also won the Grand Prix in Ballabuidhe.
Two new awards were presented this term. Baltimore, which staged The All Ireland Road Racing Championship, was the best Winter Meeting, while the Ballineen race Committee received the best Summer Meeting.
ITHRF followers are looking ahead to the start of the 2016 Winter Road Racing season with the St. Stephen’s Day fixture only a matter of weeks away.
Following the awards revellers were treated to the music of Blackwater Sound.
By Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink