Memorable Year for da Town 22-12-14

Dundalk Stadium spent the large part of 2014 as the titleholder of Racecourse of the Year. It was some sporting year for the town with the heroics of Dundalk FC, St Patrick’s and Sean O’Mahony’s GAA. Only this week a Dundalk native and rising star Shane Gray rode his 50^th career success in Goldolphin silks and lost his 5lb claim, joining his brother Stephen at 3,though different codes.

The racing at Dundalk was as ever consistently entertaining, sprinkled with some top quality action and continues to serve a real niche in Irish flat racing. A few themes have shone through this year;

·         Mick Halford

 The Kildare trainer may have had an ordinary turf campaign but was electric on the all-weather. 28 winners from 142 runners and a 20% strike rate, with a level stakes profit of +6.74. His 2yo’s even more impressive with 7/20 winning and a profit of over 28pts. His followers enjoyed nights where he had doubles, trebles and a four timer.

·         Repeat Winners

Horses become as familiar as Turkey on Christmas Day each Friday. 2014 was the year of horses running up a sequence and winning multiple times at the track, becoming firm favourites for their backers. Minot Street, Sharjah, The Dancing Lord, Havelock Eliis, Kimbay and Moonmeister just to mention a few. They’ve all won at least three times this autumn/winter. Favourites like Nedera and Slipper Orchid didn’t even make that list, not to mention the dual winner Tsar Paul who proved every dog has its day, and indeed that lightning does strike twice!

·         Top Prizes for Export

The English came, saw and conquered. Caspian Prince, Cat O’Mountain, Sir Maximillian and Pelerin have all won some of the better class races held on the sand; including valuable sprints, a listed race and the Group 3 Diamond Stakes. Tony Carroll also managed a double on a raid in November. This can only be a good thing and show the way for more raiders and better class racing next year.

·         Tough Decisions

Back in February the High Court ruled in favour of the bookmaker’s at the old Dundalk track. The 7 year long case came to an end with the judgement that the senior bookmakers should not have had to pay new fees to stand at the newly refurbished track. It’s a saga that will probably run and run regarding settlement but one feels this bitter case could have been avoided altogether. On the track Stewards changed the result of the Listed Carlingford Stakes back in October, demoting Obliterator and awarding Jim Bolger’s Chance to Dance the prize. Another controversial enquiry in October saw Orcia keep a fillies maiden over the unlucky ClutchingatStraws and Maira.

In the spirit of a review of 2014 let’s hand out a few awards for the Stars of the Sand;

Horse of the Year  Nominees are Panama Hat, Cat O’Mountain, Slipper Orchid, Captain Joy and He’s Our Music . Winner : He’s Our Music

Handicapper of the Year Havelock Ellis, Moonmeister, Kimbay, Sharjah and Minot Street.

Winner: Moonmeister

Ride of the Year Honourable mention Keith Quinn on Stoichkov. Winner : Shane Foley – Whaileyy  5^th November .

Trainer of the Year Nominees include M Halford, AJ Martin, S Harty, P Deegan and J Feane

Winner : J Feane

Gamble of the Year Touches were landed with Beau Satchel, Smuggler’s Cove, Kernoff, Ask Dad and Aggression. Winner : Ask Dad

Race of the Year  -  Winner: Cat O’Mountain G3 Diamond Stakes

Performance of the Year -  Winner : Panama Hat 17^th Aug

Monkey of the Year Too many to mention, this was a tough one! Winner: Ability N Delivery

Punter’s Pal of the Year - Winner: Kimbay

Well Named Horse of the Year – Winner: Camakasi There was a few Kamikaze performances!

Let me know what you think of the 2014 category winners and any notable absentees on our facebook or twitter page. Kingbet would like to wish all the readers a Merry Christmas and a lucky 2015.