January 13, 2010 – 11:41 am
At Government House in Melbourne with John in November 2009.
With the New Year comes a changing of the guard at the venerable Irish Turf Club as former Curragh chairman John McStay has succeeded Nick Wachman as Senior Steward.
Thoroughbred fans worldwide know the Turf Club as the be-all and end-all of Irish racing. It dates back to the dawn of time – 1790 to be precise – and in addition to serving as the regulatory body for horseracing in Ireland, it is responsible for flat, national hunt racing, and point to point racing in all Ireland.
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November 16, 2009 – 10:32 am
Twenty-three titles made the grade for the 2009 Irish Sports Book of the Year. Not surprisingly, Dermot Weld’s account of some of his greatest gallopers is one of the contenders.
Racing fans will no doubt be riveted by the behind-the-scenes look at the workings of Roswell House. I enjoyed seeing the way Dermot’s coy answers to my questions were just the tip of the iceberg. How did he nurse Vintage Crop back to health for the 1993 Melbourne Cup? Why didn’t he give up on Media Puzzle, a runner whose career had so many setbacks?
Best of luck, Dermot.
October 1, 2009 – 12:00 am
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC O’KEEFE
THE THOROUGHBRED / WINTER 2009
CURRAGH CRONIES: Jimmy Feane (left) and Stan Cosgrove (centre) of Moyglare Stud join Cup-winning trainer Dermot Weld atop the gallops at Ireland’s most famous racecourse.
Have you ever walked into a paddock with a lead rope in your hand only to find out that you were about to be given a lesson in catching the wind? With twists and feints and an occasional burst of speed, a playful horse can turn a 10-second drill into a bullfight, and the only thing that gets gored is your pride.
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