Presentation to Stephen Murray Top Trainer for 2024 also pictured are Hughie Kelleher and Cian Mulrooney of W G B O A.
SIXMILEBRIDGE’S Stephen Murray received a top trainer of the year award in Galway last weekend.
By Michael Maher
Murray has enjoyed a nice run of success in the Galway track in the past year and was acknowledged for his success when he was presented with the top trainer award.
Saturday night’s Galway card was headlined by the concluding A3 graded 525 yards contest in which Mirabel, Eastern Express and Hit The Diss were all away well but at the opening bend the Joseph Ward of Spanchill owned Eastern Express took over in front by a length from Ballyea Jet and the pair went a couple of lengths clear of their rivals down the back straight. Racing down the back though Eastern Express began to turn the screw and leaving the back straight the son of Ballymac Bolger and Jet Stream Debit began to draw right away to eventually score by eleven lengths from Mirabel in 29.17.
In race three, the Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Aultion Joxer was another winner on the night to register a maiden success as he made most to record an emphatic nine length success over Aiminy Jack in 29.48. Away well the son of Ballymac Cashout and Jumeirah Genie immediately cut towards the rails as he outpaced Aiminy Jack on the run towards the opening bend with Evetheapple in third place. Racing down towards the halfway mark the winner put the race to bend as he opened a five length advantage on his rivals as he bounded clear all the way up the line.
The concluding A2 graded 525 yards contest was the feature event in the Friday night card at Galway Greyhound Stadium Although absent since last May the Clare natives John Collins and Albert Long owned Brickhill Como made a winning return in the A4 graded eighth contest as he made all to defeat Konfu Tommy by seven and a half lengths in 29.35. Away smartly from his trap four berth the son of Good News & Twentylittletoes led Cloneyogan Sydny by two lengths approaching the opening bend. Rounding the opening bend, the winner went up a the gears and approaching halfway he led by four lengths, continuing to extend his advantage Brickhill Como was out in splendid isolation leaving the back straight and on his way to a third career success.
There was no joy for Clare owners at the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel however Ennis /Clarecastle coursing Club member Paul Horig was successful at the Clonmel Track on Saturday Night where there was €1,300 on offer in the 790-yard marathon contest in race nine and this was landed in predictable style by the powerful Fashion Model, who franked her form from one-week prior.
Jointly owned by Paul Horig, this lady looks to have found her calling over the extended distances and it wasn’t surprising to see her installed as the 3/10 jolly after going some seventy spots quicker than her nearest rival one week prior. Indeed, it proved a fruitful night for the Horig as in the very next race, which was the Sporting Press A1/A2 550, Mustang Marydel made-all at huge odds of 9/1.
