Sinnott’s international series win
DEAN SINNOTT, a 25-years-old rider from The Forge, Bannow, was overall winner of the inaugural Connollys Red Mills-sponsored Gentlemen’s League, a series of five races that features riders from Ireland, Britain and France competing in all three countries over the year.
Sinnott, who has had ten rides to date in Irish point-to-points, sealed victory in the series at the Barbury international point-to-point meeting in England on Saturday. He finished the series on 30 points, just one ahead of the British representative, William Easterby, with the French rider, Pierre Dubourg, in third.
The Bannow man works for Dermot Weld and has had a couple of track winners including the unusual distinction of winning on his very first ride on Weld’s Hisaabaat in a qualified riders’ race at Bellewstown in July, 2015. His first winner over hurdles came on Weld’s Good Tradition at Kilbeggan in August, 2016.
The Gentlemen’s League project is not solely focused on the five races - three in France and one each in Ireland and Britain. It aims to provide a more comprehensive experience for the three participating riders, as Sinnott explains: ‘They are looking to promote amateur riders in Europe so they do as much interviews and promotional work as possible.’
At each event, additional activities are organised for the riders, ranging from social outings, to yard visits, which have led to the trio getting to ride out for champion trainer, Willie Mullins, among others.
Two of the three legs staged in France were a new experience for the Bannow rider as they were over their unique cross-country courses. Enda Bolger is the top man in that sphere in Ireland and Dean spent a day with him at his impressive Limerick set-up and gained some invaluable advice. The third French leg was unique - it was the first-ever point-to-point race staged over there.
Sinnott, the inaugural champion, has nothing but praise for the whole concept. He told The Irish Field: ‘I would never have had the chance to ride over in France without it and to see how their racing is set-up, from all the different racecourses to the different jumps... When you go out after the racing you meet so many people…it’s a great way to get to know people.’
Applications are now open for season two, but you must be quick about it. If you are an amateur rider and would like to represent your country across Europe, you can apply by e-mailing thegentlemensleague@outlook.com before February 1 with a brief summary of your riding career.
It was a rare blank weekend on the home scene with meetings at Dungarvan and Kilfeacle falling victim to the weather. Ballyvodock in Cork is already off next weekend but they are due to run at Tyrella, East Down, on Saturday, and Nenagh and Dungarvan on Sunday.