All the action and colour from the point to point

2017 may be remembered for bad weather and hurricane Ophelia and Storm Brian but the point to point held in Fairwood Park last Sunday was blessed with the weather.

The winners of one mare’s race was a family affair being won by the five-year-old mare ‘Dinos Benefit’. She is owned and trained locally by John Walsh, Preban, Tinahely, and ridden to victory by his son James Walsh.

She cruised to a three-length victory but this does not demonstrate the ease in which she defeated the opposition. The runner up was trained by Michael Goff, a Wexford handler, and ridden by Shane Fitzgerald.

The hunt were very fortunate to see two new sponsors on board at this meeting - The Winners Enclosure Bookmakers, Shillelagh, and Irish Throughbred Marketing.

The four-year-old race was sponsored by The Winners Enclosure Bookmakers which is owned by Tony Deegan. The winner, ‘Whisperinthebreeze’ was a very worthy winner and trained by Timmy Hyde who is no stranger to producing winners. The runner up in this race, ‘Sporting Press’, is trained by Donnchadh Doyle from Ballindaggin and ridden by Rob James.

It was a monumental day for the hunt, hosting a ladies race for the first time, and it was sponsored by Irish Throughbred Marketing.

These races are much sought after and thanks must go to the owners and handlers for supporting this race. Maxine O’Sullivan made every post a winning one and romped home fourteen lengths clear of her nearest rivals. After the race the ladies were presented with gifts from the hunt which was great appreciated by the ladies.

Richard Black from Bunclody trained the winner of the fiveyear-old maiden and was ridden by Rob James. This was the first time ‘Shantaluze’ ran for Black from his Wexford base. The five-year-old mare’s maiden went to another Wexford handler.

The Paul Nolan trained and Philip Byrne owned ‘Castafiore Park’ steered to victory by the champion point to point jockey Barry O’Neill.

Richie Deegan made his day worthwhile when partnering the odds on favorite ‘Streets of Milan’ to victory to bring the day’s proceedings to a close.

The next meeting to be held in Fairwood Park will be on November 5.

Shantaluze with R. James leads them over in the maiden race for five-year-old g

David Cosby enjoying the racing.

Andrew Cogley and Noel Rothwell.

Dermot Corkry and Mick Lacey.

Cathy Homan insulates the toes from the cold.

Jim Mernagh and Brian Murphy.

James Fitzpatrick and John Kinsella.