Point-to-point a huge success

As the promised rain had not materialised to any degree during the week, the ground was very fast and firm, unlike the usual autumn point-to-point experience.

The good weather lasted all day with hardly a cloud in the sky and the racing was fast and furious with some tightly fought contests which ended up with three wins and a third for jockey Barry O’Neill. William Thompson achieved a first, second and third, with JP McKeown and Derek O’Connor winning the other two races.

The first race was a maiden race for 4 year olds sponsored by Dennison Commercials and the young horses set off at a ferocious speed. Only 3 finished with Barry O’Neill on Deirdre Bowe’s Katachenko, trained by Colin Bowe, coming first three and a half lengths ahead of the Monbeg Syndicate’s Point of Attack ridden by Harley Dunne trained by Donnchadh Doyle.

In 3rd place was William Thompson coming in 25 lengths after on the Ian Ferguson trained Nine Altars owned by Mrs Susan Johnston.

The second race produced a good battle for the finish with JP McKeown on Miss Nina drawing ahead by two and a half lengths from Derek O’Connor on Maple Mons.

The third race was at the last minute reduced to five runners due to the fact that a lorry from Waterford must have had some problems on the journey and didn’t arrive in time. The runners in this race were in a tight bunch coming along the top for the last time but Sam Cavallaro was jumping well and gave Barry O’Neill the second of his treble of winners for the day, three and a half lengths ahead of Derek O’Connor on Quenzo Pierji. This must have pleased David Christie who trained both horses.

The fourth race gave local jockey William Thompson his first win of the day on the optimistically named Five in a Row, a length and a half ahead of Ben Crawford on Merrydown Vintage. Barry O’Neill on Gold Patrol was a length ahead of JE Flynn on Black Streak to claim third.

The open race was next and was another extremely speedy race with Derek O’Connor on Norther Bay victorious over William Thompson on Sebadee in a very exciting finish. The final race of the day was the Convery Trailers Maiden Race for 7-Y-O & Upwards Geldings giving Barry O’Neill his third win of the day on Mattara four lengths ahead of R.James on Breezy Point with Danny’s Bridge third.

RESULTS

First race: Dennison Commercials Ltd Maiden Race for 4 year olds

1st: Katachenko, owned by Deirdre Bowe, trained by Colin Bowe, ridden by B.O’Neill; 2nd: Point of Attack, owned by Monbeg Syndicate, trained by Donnchadh Doyle, ridden by Harley Dunne.

3rd: Nine Altars, owned by Mrs Susan Johnston, trained by Ian Ferguson and ridden by William Thompson.

Second Race: McBurney Race for 5-Y-O & Upwards Mares

1st: Miss Nina, owned and trained by Patrick Downey, ridden by JP McKeown, 2nd: Maple Mons owned by David & Arron Charles, trained by D.M.Christie, ridden by D.O’Connor. 3rd: Monks Return, owned by Frank Gill, trained by GD Corrigan, ridden by H.Dunne.

Third Race: Mid-Antrim Harriers Winners of One

1st: Sam Cavallaro, owned by Ray Nicholas & RJ Watson, trained by DM Christie, ridden by B.O’Neill. 2nd: Quenzo Pierji, owned by Debi Christie & Jordan Cope, trained by DM Christie and ridden by D.O’Connor. 3rd: Top Cat DJ, owned by Henry Cleary, trained by RP Rath and ridden by R.James.

Fourth Race: Cahill Boyd Service Station Maiden Race for 5 & 6-Y-O Geldings

1st: Five in a Row, owned by Rachel O’Neill, trained by John Joseph Hanlon, ridden by W.Thompson. 2nd: Merrydown Vintage, owned by Mrs P Sloan, trained by Stuart Crawford, ridden by Ben Crawford.

3rd: Gold Patrol, owned by Monfin Racing Partnership, trained by Colin Bowe, ridden by B.O’Neill.

Fifth Race: Enviro Care N.I. Ltd Open Lightweight Race

1st: Norther Bay, owned by White Hares Syndicate, trained by Eoin Griffin, ridden by D.O’Connor. 2nd: Sebadee, owned by Mrs AM Cullen, trained by Denis W. Cullen, ridden by William Thompson. 3rd: Hilbilly Babe owned by RC Irvine, trained by Mervyn Torrens, ridden by N.Mc Parland.

Sixth Race: Convery Trailers Maiden Race for 7-Y-O & Upwards Geldings

1st: Mattara, owned by EC Kelly & Sean O’Neill, trained by Colin Bowe, ridden by B. O’Neill. 2nd: Breezy Point, owned by RW McLean, trained by DM Christie, ridden by R.James. 3rd: Danny’s Bridge, owned by Ian Baird, trained by Ben Arthey, ridden by G. Yemm.

THANKS

The Mid-Antrim Hunt has thanked the Higgins family for the use of their beautiful estate and all the sponsors and helpers who so generously gave their support.

A Jump Cross is being held at Castlehill Equestrian Centre, Ballymena on Saturday 5th October and any enquiries should go to Paul or Beverley Caves on 07803143887 or 07960699161 and a Hunter Trials is being held the following Saturday at Andy Hamilton’s farm , Knockan Rd, Broughshane. enquiries to Andy or Judith on 07889038909 or 07904342222.

* For more photos from Saturday’s point-to-point, see this week’s Ballymena Times or Antrim Times.