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The results of two Referral Hearings published by the IHRB last week pose a number of questions for the sport and in particular highlight how the sport has failed an 11-year-old sprinter named Art Of Unity.
The gelding was a fair performer in his prime. He reached a peak rating of 82 after a victory at Navan in September 2021. This was the last of the four races he won when trained by John Feane on the Curragh.
My Racing StorySponsored By Tote
Like everyone in racing, you kind of start off with ponies. I did a bit of pony club and hunting and that. Dad (Michael Hourigan) always had a busy yard, so we rode out before we went to school. It was a great grounding, and I was lucky in the sense that I didn't have to go away anywhere. We always had plenty of horses and ponies at home to mess around with. I had my first ride when I was 16 in a ladies' bumper in Killarney. Dad always had plenty of Kerry owners and enjoyed having runners in Kerry. I kind of got bitten by the bug, I suppose. I had the majority of my rides for dad, and I was always working at home. I wouldn't have had the number of winners I had only for dad. I did have winners for others as well, though. My best day in the saddle came on Moonmeister in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh (2019). He was a 50/1 shot, but Tony Martin always has his horses fit and he got up by a neck. I had 29 winners on the track, including a hurdle winner, and one point-to-point winner.
Johnny and Tommy agree on the Irish banker
Johnny Ward and Tommy Lyons are back for a Pre-Cheltenham show.
- Having won the last two renewals, Go Dante has to be respected and a wind operation since his last run may help his chances. That said, preference is for MONDO MAN, who was fourth off this mark in a very competitive handicap at Ascot before Christmas and has subsequently bolted up in a maiden hurdle at Plumpton. Wreckless Eric and Afadil made the frame 12 months ago and shouldn't be far away, with Rubber Ball and General Briar also firmly in contention.
