Weekly Racing News-Father Son duo strike again

Limerick Racing News 

The father and son team of Eric and Conor McNamara landed the 2m1f handicap hurdle with Alfred Wegener at Ballinrobe on Monday. The 12/1 chance made all the running and comfortably held 100/30 favourite Youngnedofthehill by three and a quarter lengths. 

Alfred Wegener and Conor McNamara wins the Yupana Inc California Handicap Hurdle. Ballinrobe Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post 12.08.2019

Epsom Derby runner-up Madhmoon got his season back on track with victory in the Group 3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening, a performance that more or less ensures his place in next month’s QIPCO Irish Champions Stakes at the same track according to trainer Kevin Prendergast. Madhmoon, who has captured the public’s imagination all season representing 84-year-old Prendergast and Chris Hayes, received a generous reception on his return to the winner’s enclosure after recording a cosy victory over Zuenoon. Bigger days await for the three-year-old, with Prendergast keen to have another crack at Group 1 level three weeks’ time before tackling the English equivalent at Ascot. 

Hayes landed a second notable success when partnering the Dermot Weld-trained Tarnawa to win the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes at Cork on Saturday. The 7/2 chance got to the front over a furlong and a half from home and never looked in any danger as she beat the Aidan O’Brien-trained 5/2 favourite Simply Beautiful by two and a half lengths.

Other Racing News 

Curragh Thoroughbred Trail now open for online booking as part of Longines Irish Champions Weekend 

Details of five individual trails have been announced for the 2019 Curragh Thoroughbred Trail, part of Longines Irish Champions Weekend, and are now available to book online. This unique event, which takes place prior to racing at the Curragh on Sunday September 15, allows racing fans to go behind the scenes at many of the leading racing yards and stud farms based around the famous Curragh plains. The Curragh Thoroughbred Trail will give racing fans the opportunity to visit the yards of Conor O’Dwyer, Willie McCreery, Michael Halford, Johnny Murtagh, Ken Condon, Martin Brassil, Dick Brabazon, Brendan Duke and James Nash and meet legendary trainers Dermot Weld and John Oxx on the Curragh Training Grounds. The world-famous Kildangan Stud is also included in the Thoroughbred Trails. Each trail will be accompanied by an expert guide.   Participants will enjoy light refreshments at the Curragh Racecourse before trails commence at 9.30am sharp.

Pat Keogh, CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse and CEO of the Curragh Racecourse, commented:

“The Thoroughbred Trail is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see behind the scenes of the Curragh and to experience areas not normally accessible. We are hugely grateful to the support of the trainers, studs and other facilities who are opening their doors as the Curragh Thoroughbred Trail is an integral part of Longines Irish Champions Weekend.” 

Longines Irish Champions Weekend features the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes and the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes on Saturday September 14, and the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger together with three other Group 1 races and The Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland at the Curragh on Sunday September 15. 

For admission to the races and trail bookings visit http://www.irishchampionsweekend.ie 

Upcoming Fixtures 

Roscommon – Monday, August 19 (First Race 5.20)

Sligo – Tuesday, Tuesday, August 20 (First Race 5.15)

Killarney – Wednesday, August 21 (First Race 2.10)Killarney – Thursday, August 22 (First Race 4.35)

Curragh – Friday, August 23 (First Race 5.10)

Killarney – Friday, August 23 (First Race 4.45)

Killarney – Saturday, August 24 (First Race 1.20)

Kilbeggan – Saturday, August 24 (First Race 5.05)

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Jack Neville