NO DAMPENING RACE CRAIC

IT’S very much the racing festival of the people of Listowel, and indeed a racing festival beloved by Kerry and many more.

And from the colour and craic so typical of Listowel, local success has surfaced – as if there wasn’t already reason enough to get excited about this six-day spectacular.

“We’re very happy with how it’s gone so far,” Secretary Brenda Daly told The Kerryman. “The weather forecast for Sunday and Monday was dire, but we actually got pretty lucky as it cleared up for the afternoon.

“We got a bit of rain all right on Tuesday, but it wasn’t too bad, and the public have gotten behind us as they always do.”

But even some damp weather and the withdrawal of Gold Cup winner Coneygree from the famous Kerry National wasn’t enough to quell enthusiasm for the 2017 festival. And even though it’s only the half-way point of the race-week, it might be difficult to find a more popular winner than Crocodile Dundee, guided home by Blennerville’s Brian Cooper and saddled by Brian’s father, Tom.

Mind you, the Mairead O’Carroll-owned Youceeyouceecee’s win in Tuesday’s 2:40, the Brandon Hotel Handicap, was right up there with the Cooper duo’s win in terms of popularity.

“Mairead is from Jet O’Carroll’s bar and they’re synonymous with Listowel Races and our festival,” Brenda said.

“They’ve always been great supporters of us here in Listowel - and, in fact, our first race of the day, the 2:10, was the “Jet O’Carroll” Memorial Irish EBF Maiden.

“We’ve had a great opening three days and there’s plenty more to come.”

Margueite Stack and Margaret Lynch from Moyvane enjoying day two of the Listowel Races on Monday.

Photo by Domnick Walsh Tim Fitzgerald from Abbeyfeale and Des Murphy from Tarbert discussing the form at the Listowel Races on Monday.

Photo by Domnick Walsh Bertie Murphy signalling a positive note at the Listowel Races on Monday, pictured with John Stokes and David Daly.

Jennifer Lyons and Rhys Keane getting a good view of the action on the turf on Monday at the Listowel Races.

Young Listowel racegoers Sarah Cox and Grace Hart look like they’re becoming solid fans of the sport of kings.

Suits you sirs! Steven Molloy, Birmingham , Adam Harvey, Ballybunion, and David Flahive Ballybunion (now living in Sweden ). All photos by Domnick Walsh

Denis O’Connor from Abbeydorney on the Island on Monday. Photo by Domnick Walsh