Weekly Racing News-Tragic passing of Willie Buckley disrupts events

Limerick Racing News 

Racing at Dundalk was abandoned in tragic circumstances on Friday night as Willie Buckley, a long-time member of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board security team, died after being taken ill shortly after the second race. A statement released by the IHRB on Saturday morning read:

“It is with deep regret and profound sadness that the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board can confirm the passing of our esteemed colleague Willie Buckley. Willie was a valued member of the IHRB security team for 11 years and was on duty at Dundalk racecourse last evening when taken ill. The IHRB offer sincere condolences to his partner Kathleen, son Tony and daughter Sinead and their families, friends and colleagues at this time.”

 Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Willie Buckley who was always a friendly face on the racetrack or around Newbridge.” 

Buckley was the brother of Grand National-winning jockey Pat Buckley, as well as Seamus Buckley, who retired in 2017 as clerk of the course at Goodwood after 23 years in the role.

He was originally from Two Mile House. A minutes’ silence in Willie’s memory was held at the meetings at Navan and Leopardstown on Saturday and Sunday. 

Oola jockey Cathal Landers was among the winners at Leopardstown on Sunday where Cliff House comfortably landed the 2m handicap hurdle. Trained by Dot Love, the 16/1 chance made all the running to score by three and a quarter lengths from Tara Dylan and the winner is likely to embark on a chasing campaign.

Assistant trainer Ciaran Murphy said, “We said today we’d jump him out and let him enjoy it. We’ve had plenty of problems with this lad. It’s his first run back and we think we’ve sorted these bits and pieces — it’s a nice surprise. The plan was always to go over fences over the summer, and we said we’d give him a chance to win a hurdle before that. He might win another one now on his way to fences. There is a nice race on the Flat in him too, a two-mile Flat race. It would be lovely to go to Fairyhouse at Easter with him and then on to Punchestown.”

Galway Plate winning jockey Mark Enright proved one of the heroes at Leopardstown as he landed the 2m5f handicap chase on 14/1 shot Woods Well for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud. The outsider of the eight-runner field was involved in a three-way battle coming down to the last, but Enright held on after the horse ploughed through the fence, lost both of his irons, but still managed to boot the horse home without those aids, beating Ask Nile by three-parts-of-a-length.

Upcoming Fixtures

Leopardstown – Monday, March 4 (First Race 1.30)

Dundalk – Wednesday, March 6 (First Race 5.10pm)

Thurles – Thursday, March 7 (First Race 2.05)

Dundalk – Friday, March 8 (First Race 5.15)

Gowran Park – Saturday, March 9 (First Race 1.55)

Naas – Sunday, March 10 (First Race 2.10)