Tag Archives: horse racing ireland

Forty years after his first win in the race, age-less Curragh trainer, Dermot Weld, secured a fifth Irish 1,000 Guineas when his Homeless Songs routed her rivals in the Tattersalls-sponsored contest at the Curragh on Sunday. Weld has enjoyed a glittering career, with names like Vintage Crop, Go And Go, Vinnie Roe and Media Puzzle doing him proud all over the world. In recent times things have been a bit quieter for the master of Rosewell House, but in Homeless Songs he has the makings of another superstar. Chris Hayes was entrusted with the mount aboard the 11/2 shot who was smartly away from the stalls. Fifth at the two-furlong marker, Homeless Songs cruised into the lead on the stands side as the field entered the final furlong. The victorious daughter of Frankel was in top gear now and, with consummate ease, the Moyglare Stud-owned filly powered home to beat 11/4 favourite Tuesday by five-and-a-half-lengths. This really was a demolition …

ONE of the leading voices in the Irish Point to Point scene is Newmarket’s Ger Hannon, who is well known to all those who attend the grass roots events throughout the region. A regular commentator both on the track and on the airwaves, he is among the cohort who are looking forward to having regular race meetings back up and running once more. Following Government advice, point to point racing was halted on January 13 with hopes initially expressed that action could return on March 5. The most recent Government update on Level 5 restrictions put paid to that, with April 5 now being the date after which it is hoped that racing can resume once more between the flags. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is understood to be in talks with Horse Racing Ireland aimed at alleviating the backlog of young horses needing a run, and Hannon agrees that the knock-on effect from grass roots level will permeate throughout …

A County Clare graduate will work at Navan Racecourse after she was selected as one of five Horse Racing Ireland interns. Niamh Baker from Tubber began her 12-week work placement at the Navan track last Wednesday. In November 2013, HRI launched its first Student Internship Programme, offering five placements at HRI headquarters and each of the four HRI-owned racecourses, Leopardstown, Tipperary, Navan and Fairyhouse. Over 120 applications were received from students throughout the country and 35 students were shortlisted and interviewed. Niamh has just completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at NUI Galway. Niamh grew up on a stud farm and has a keen interest in horses and horse riding. She also plays Gaelic football, camogie, basketball and soccer. As part of her role at Navan Racecourse, Niamh will be required to assist in many areas of racecourse operations such as marketing, sales, social media, website maintenance, raceday operations and the promotion of events over the summer season. Welcoming Niamh, …