Courtesy of a sensational five-timer (which included a 159/1 treble on Friday), Eric McNamara was the trainer-in-form at Listowel’s Harvest Racing Festival.
The Rathkeale handler of Beechmount Stables was first in the winners’ enclosure with Donkey Years, successful in the Devon Inn (Templeglantine) Dan Sheehan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
The 17/2 shot, who was ridden by Mark Walsh, is the property of JP McManus, Martinstown.
“It’s great to have a winner in those colours,” commented McNamara. “I’d like to have one crack at the Munster National with him.”
Next, with teenager Calum Hogan in the saddle, he scored with Ifitwasme (10/1) – for the Wilmot family of Rathkeale (Mike and his three sons, Cian, Damien and Joe) – in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
“Calum works with us full-time, is a 7lb claimer and while he is quite inexperienced over jumps, is a good lad with hopefully a promising career in front of him.”
Amazingly, Calum’s dad Ray won the very same race way back in 1996 (Tidjani).
McNamara’s big festival winner came in the featured Є100,000 MCG Handicap Listed Hurdle Race with Frankendael, under an impressive ride from Daniel King.
“That was magic and he is a lovely horse who has improved all the time since we got him. I thought it was a long shot, but he is a particularly good jumper, loves soft ground and has won a beautiful pot for fantastic owners (Vincent Casey and others)” said the trainer.
The winner was returned at generous odds of 9/1.
Another winner for in-form McNamara was the Seán Flanagan-ridden Mount Ferns (3/1) in the 2m handicap hurdle.
Finally, Seán Curran-owned Cahirdown Boy (3/1) won the Paud Fitzmaurice Memorial Handicap Steeplechase. He too was ridden by Flanagan.
Seán and Eric are great friends, and famously won back-to-back Kerry Nationals with Ponmeoath in 2007/’08.
“The horses are in great form. We obviously aim for Listowel and it has been an unbelievable few days.”
For good measure, Athea trainer Eoin McCarthy topped-off a memorable festival for West Limerick with a whopping 250/1 winner with the aptly named Kingdom Calling.
