The occupant of this seat can only recall being at a beach twice in four plus decades. One of which was an absolutely horrendous experience, which I’ll get to in a minute, while the other was pure bliss in the heatwave summer of 1995 at the beautiful Port Salon in Donegal. The bad experience, ironically, was in Laytown of all places. The irony, of course, being multiplied countless times over by the fact that the good lady is, of course, from Mornington.
It was in the year of ’88, in the lovely month of June, that the North Eastern Health Board, as it was then, took a group of us to Laytown for a week long physiotherapy ‘camp’. Having done a couple of week long stints of similarly painful pulling and dragging in the Central Remedial Clinic I thought I knew how unpleasant it was going to be, but the chamber of horrors in Dublin 3 was only chicken feed compared to the local ensemble.
Whoever thought it was a good idea to bring a group of 6, 7 and 8 year olds away from home for a week obviously never had it inflicted upon themselves in similar circumstances. Wheels transporting yours truly have never been back there since but – even leaving obvious reasoning aside – desire to do so has seldom if ever been greater.
At this point, it will be admitted that one is not entirely sure whether the conveyance would be able to circumnavigate the terrain but at least an inside line on finding out is possessed now. In some ways, it will probably come as no surprise to many that the return of racing to Laytown’s strand.
When this year’s incarnation concluded, Horse Racing Ireland posted a very interesting opportunity – “Describe Laytown Races in one word”. This corner would venture it may not be possible. ‘Unique’ and ‘Ours’ and ‘Special’ are just a few that come to mind.
As far as can be recalled, in the past the seaside galloping used to be staged over a few days before a terrible incident in the mid 1990s where several horses lost their lives. However, thankfully what needed to be done to ensure the stars of the sea had their day out was.
Not surprisingly, the once a year event proves immensely popular. With both local trainers and ones who either travel big distances domestically or come from overseas to be part of a very special bullet point on the local sporting calendar. Former jump jockey turned burgeoning flat handler Jamie Osborne and his leading owners Melbourne 10 Racing – as the name suggests, from Australia, have been known to bring up to a dozen horses for a day on the doons.
This writer honestly had doubts as to whether the races would go ahead this year with all the chaos Covid-19 has inflicted upon the world. But, instead of it being a back to school distraction as would normally be the case, Laytown’s day ran shotgun to the opening day of the phesant season.
Not for the first time either, historic waves were made at the Louth-border venue with jockey Mark Enright completing the circuit of having ridden a winner at every track in Ireland. The landmark success coming aboard the Denis Hogan trained Hell Left Loose.
Limerick’s Enright, affectionately known as ‘Fish’ among the racing fraternity, has caught quite the niche for himself having cast his line into the Flat waters after negotiating a very successful catch for himself in the choppier waters of jump racing.
Even out of the saddle though, Enright is a very admirable individual. As he has never made any secret of the struggles he has had and battled through away from racing, so you couldn’t but rejoyce in any success which comes his way. For very different reasons, similar could be said about Gordon Elliott.
The victory of Oh Purple Reign, with respect, will most likely end up being filed under ‘Routine’ but from another angle, it was of considerable significance as it just put the fresh cream (I hate cherries!) on top of what was a remarkable season for local racing characters. It was anything but Flat!
Top of the list of major achievements has to be Colin Keane reigning as Champion Jockey for a third time. Notching an incredible 141 victories along the way. Leaving Joseph O’Brien’s 126 in the shade. A total the accumulation of which was greatly assisted by another stellar season for Kiltale trainer Ger Lyons which was highlighted by the annexation of his 1,000th winner. The pair are now one of the most potent combinations in racing, a fact reflected by the Glenburnie stable being accredited with patronage from the real movers and shakers on the flat scene. Something which is only likely to increase given the manner in which the investment has been delivered upon.
The ironic – but wonderful – thing about this year’s Flat (turf) campaign in Ireland was that, where John Magnier et al have had jump horses with Noel Meade for many years but may well now be tempted to give him a go at their stock in trade business of the high end of the Flat scene. To record a Group One winner must be the greatest ambition of any trainer’s career and the greatest achievement thereof if a handler manages to pull it off.
Part two of the latter half of the preceding statement has its significance increased beyond calculation when you consider that the great man from Castletown was into his fifth decade of sending out winners from Tu Va when Colin Keane booted home Helvic Dream to catapult he of the green and gold apparel to the Promised Land of his profession.
As well as being one of the great gentlemen of Irish sport – and the biggest fan of Westerns I’ve ever encountered – Noel is an all round sports fan. Admired by stars of other sporting codes as much as it is returned in kind. So wasn’t it especially fitting that a steed which arrived at The Curragh in a horsebox with either Colm O’Rourke or Graham Geraghty emblazoned on its rear door was part owned by the spiritual and irreplaceable leader of the Connacht Rugby team, Johnny Muldoon
How fitting it was that the former Champion Trainer should reach one of highest accomplishments his sport offers not only in the same year but around the same time as the Meath Minor lads and Senior Ladies brought All Ireland glory back to our county.
The lightly raced Ida’s Boy was a comfortable and impressive winner in Thurles just as construction of what you are reading was commencing. Hopefully that can be a good omen for a few strings in black and amber before the week is out!