In another night of world class racing at Tir Prince Jonathan Dunne driving He’s for Real smashed the British 1 ¼ mile record by over a second in 2.286 in a fabulous Crock of Gold heat. The draw which took place in front of a large crowd was eagerly awaited and when in form Blue Russian drew number one he quickly became  the odds on favourite. The race was run over the rarely run distance of 1 ¼ miles and the early pace was set by River Inny now trained by John Foy and driven by Andrew Cairns the quarter was reached in 29.0 and the half in 58.2 and the mile in 1.582. Coming round the last bend it was anyones race as the noise from the crowd became a crescendo as they cheared their favorite. It became a three horse race with Andrew Stenhouse on Blue Russian trying to get to River Inney the pace setter but with an electrifying turn of pace from He’s for Real he just got up to beat River Inney, Blue Russian and Coalford Torpedo into second, third and fourth. There was a gasp from the crowd as Darren Owen confirmed the time, 2.286 a British record for the mile and a quarter, in fact the first three were all inside the old record, a great race.

The Jane Patterson free for all trot over 1 ¼ miles was won comfortably by Paul Mather on the very classy trotter Stas Hazelhaar in 2.356 a track record not far away from the British record.

The preferred free for all was won by the very elegant pacer Rhyds Hallstar, driven superbly by Andrew Cairns in 1.587, this was only the second race for the horse in three years but it showed its undoubted class.

The Welsh Cup heat was won by a three year old colt Wexford Beach in 2.024, driven by Mark Jones this is one to look out for.

Earlier in the night Jonathan Dunne rode the very impressive grade three Portersdown Kirk to victory in 1.593 another winner of an under 2 minute rug , John Howard junior rode Howards Clourmein to victory in the maiden pace and in the closest race of the night Andrew Cairns drove Crogies Heat to victory by a nose from Jason Podmore on My Lightening Blue with Howards Gigolo only a length back in third.

The Ladies Night was a great success and was shown live on Rasus the S4c harness racing series.

The next meeting is Tuesday 25^th August.

TIR PRINCE RESULTS 26TH MAY 2009

RACE 1 PRIZE TIME DISTANCE
1st AYR MISSION M ELVIN £300 2.063
2nd BON ROBERT L PRICE £100 4l
3rd MAITHA BUCHAILL P KANE JNR £50 1 1/2l

RACE 2
1st JR HALL W LAIDLER £300 2.035
2nd SOUTHLANDS DILLINGER P HOLDEN £100 11l
3rd JASPER HILL P KANE JNR £50 5l

RACE 3
1st HOWARDS ART M LORD £300 2.039
2nd PAGEBANK MAGGIE W LAIDLER £100 1/2l
3rd DARK FOX C BEVAN £50 5l

RACE 4
1st RHYDS HEARTBEAT M LORD £350 2.061
2nd STORMY SEAS J MCINALLY £100 1l
3rd MEET N GREET D BEVAN £60 1/2l

RACE 5
1st LANESIDE LEXUS W LAIDLER £500 2.004
2nd DEVIL’S BEST L PRICE £150 12l
3rd CAENWOOD BEACHGIRL J PRICE £85 1/2l

RACE 6
1st CROWN MANHATTAN J RICHARDSON £700 1.597
2nd SOUTHLANDS ART P KANE JNR £200 3l
3rd THE BIG GUY P HOLDEN £100 4l

After a Sensational 2008 season we are now

looking eagerly ahead to 2009.

The first race will be Tuesday 26th May and the first Crock of Gold meeting

will be Monday 22nd June.

In 2009 we are also hosting the 3 year old Derby and the Roosevelt and Prakas Trots. Full details of all race meetings will be announced in the New Year.

Why not join us here at Tir Prince in 2009, we still have stabling facilities available, for more details please call 01745 345123

Qualifying races start on Tuesday 12th May at 5.30 pm and each Tuesday thereafter (entries and weather permitting). It is essential that you enter with Gordon McCallum on 01492 532320

David Senior track director has confirmed that they will continue giving a free rug embossed with “A winner at Tir Prince in under 2 minutes” for all sub 2 minute winners. He commented”The introduction of the rug was very well received and at the last meeting alone there were 4 winners in under 2 minutes including the new track record winner Lyons Mach III in 1.576.” Anyone still owed a rug from last year should contact David.