HSI Breeders

The Amber Springs Hotel hosted the 2012 HSI Breeders Awards recently in addition to staging the Goresbridge Going for Gold auction in conjunction with Barnadown Equestrian Centre. The late Michael Roche of Foulksmills won the award for the Top Irish Sport Horse Showing Mare on the night while the auction results were reported as “Glittering”. With 1000 people in attendance on the night of the auction this truly international event is a great asset to have in Wexford and utilises the jumping facilities and accommodation in the area.

Impressive Debut for Warhorse

Barry O’Neills win on board Western Warhorse at Dungarvan on the 18^th saw the Ballindaggin man move into 3^rd place in the national jockeys championship, behind Messrs Codd and O’Connor. Riding the 4 year old Westener gelding for Colin Bowe and the Kavanagh family from Gorey, this was a highly impressive debut according to reports with the horse likely to be heard of again into the future.  Racing at a local level returns to the county on the 9^th of December with the Island Hunt Point to Point at Ballydarragh. This meeting has a 12 noon start and despite the heavy rain endured over the past weeks the track should still be very race able in-spite of this. The Open Lightweight will be the highlight, backed up by a winners contest and supported by four maiden races on the day.

Sue Bramall on the Mark

Sue Bramall has over the years had links with CountyWexford and following her transfer from Britain to Ireland and then to France, she has popped up again based in North Wexford just outside of Gorey. Well known for her handling of Antonin, a brave front running chaser of the 1999’s, Bramall saddled her first Irish winner for some time when Snooze won a beginners chase on the 18^th of November. Ridden by Ian McCarthy the 6 year old son of Sleeping Car led all the way to win at 25/1. Having run at Wexford over the Bank Holiday weekend, the heavy ground at Cork was more to his liking, owned ,bred and trained by the Bramalls this former winner in France might keep them busy over the winter. Defy Logic trained by Paul Nolan was an impressive winner of the bumper at Fairyhouse on the 21^st when winning at 6/4 under Alan Berry. In the colours of JP McManus and ridden by Jonjo O’Neills 3 lb claiming amateur this son of Flemensfirth is one for the note book.  With Willie Mullins winning all around him, Larry Byrne did well to get in on the act when winning with Misca Musca at Navan on the 25^th. Ridden by John Cullen the 4 year old son of Westener did well to win at 10/1 in the colours R Dooly.