Limerick/Clare Racing
The familiar colours of owner Tom Doran were back in the winners’ enclosure over the weekend as the Michael Hourigan-trained Dorans Weir took the opening division of the mares’ bumper at Thurles on Sunday. Ridden by Pat Taaffe, the 4/1 chance readily got the better of market leaders Burn The Evidence, the 13/8 favourite, and 85/40 chance Reine Machine on just her second start.
Hourigan reported, “She is a nice one to have and is a well-bred mare as well. She is very honest, did it well and Pat said that she was very green. She jumps well and we got the bonus in winning today. I had a lot of luck for Tom Doran over the years and it is great to have him back and great for her to win.”
Other Racing News Awards keep coming for superstar Rachael Blackmore
Rachael Blackmore added to her Irish Racing Hero award at last week’s annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards with a hat-trick of high-profile award wins over the weekend. The Killenaule jockey was the winner of The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year on Friday and the following night was crowned RTE Sportsperson of the Year. On Sunday, her terrific year was topped off when she became the first Irish person to be named the BBC World Sport Star.
She said,
“The support has been incredible and I got such a kick out of being on that list of nominees. It’s kind of overwhelming. It’s unbelievable. I never even dreamt this could happen to be honest. It’s far surpassed anything I could have ever imagined. It’s just been an incredible year.”
Upcoming Fixtures
Down Royal – Sunday, December 26 (First Race 11.40am)
Leopardstown – Sunday, December 26 (First Race 12 noon)
Limerick – Sunday, December 26 (First Race 12.25pm)
Leopardstown – Monday, December 27 (First Race 12.05pm)
Limerick – Monday, December 27 (First Race 12.20pm)
Leopardstown – Tuesday, December 28 (First Race 12 noon)
Limerick – Tuesday, December 28 (First Race 12.20pm)
Leopardstown – Wednesday, December 29(First Race 12.05pm)
Limerick – Wednesday, December 29 (First Race 12.30pm)
Punchestown – Friday, December 31 (First Race 11.45am)
Fairyhouse – Saturday, January 1, 2022 (First Race 12.20pm)
Tramore – Saturday, January 1, 2022 (First Race 12 noon)
Naas – Sunday, January 2, 2022 (First Race 12.30pm)