Matt McCourt is pride of English racing

THE ACHIEVEMENT of a 39-year-old Stamullen racehorse trainer in landing an all-favourites’ treble at Hexham, England, last week, has been described in English racing circles as a remarkable performance. On Monday, the same trainer continued his winning sequence with a magnificent double at Carlisle.

The man with the success story is Mr. Matt McCourt, second eldest son of Mrs. Jane McCourt and the late Thomas McCourt. Mrs. McCourt recently retired as pastmistress of Stamullen P.O., a position she has held for over 40 years.

Mott’s Hexham treble and subsequent double have placed him, in a remarkably short time, in the top bracket of English trainers. In this respect his achievements are particularly noteworthy, for it was only in July that Matt took over the licence of the late Jack Yeomans, with whom he was head lad for seven years.

Matt began his racing career with Mr. Barney Nugent of The Ward, where as a jockey, he rode his first winner “Impeccable.” He then joined Jimmy Brogan’s stable at Balrath, before crossing to England to ride for Beechners Courage and Frank Mann. Finally he was offered the position of head lad with Yeomans, where to-day he is a trainer of proven ability.

Mr. McCourt is married with 3 children, two girls and a boy, and lives at Upton-on-Severn, Worcester.

Local victories were recorded on the home front at the week-end also, successes being scored at both the Saturday meetings. At the Phoenix Park, Mrs. Branagh Lenehan’s Old Phil, scored a comparatively easy success in the Peard Hurdle, winning by no less than five lengths. The gelding is trained for Mrs. Lenehan by Dick Hoey at Julianstown, and was ridden in capable manner by Mr. E. Collins, son of Dr. and Mrs. Collins, Fair Street. This young rider has often before visited the winner’s circle, but Saturday’s win was his first over obstacles and right well he acquitted himself. Dick Hoey has become something of a specialist in big hurdle race;, and this success was yet another tribute to his expert handling of timber toppers.