Cork Trainer Paddy Twomey is making a name for himself with some fantastic performances and wins

Cork trainer Paddy Twomey is very much on the rise and he introduced a lovely horse called City Of Memphis who won the six furlong maiden at Cork during the week. 

Racing took place in glorious sunshine and Jockey Billy Lee’s mount picked up powerfully to lead over a furlong from home. 

She readily quickened away in the closing stages to win by a comfortable two and three-quarter lengths. 

The winning trainer has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons and looks to be gathering a lovely bunch of juveniles again this season.

 "We bought her off Katie Walsh at the breeze-ups last year and just waited with her," Paddy Twomey said.

"We haven't looked much, but she has plenty of ability and, everything she does, she does with ease. 

"We were confident coming here that she would run a good race and I'm delighted she has won.

” When you go to the breeze-up sale, you pay your money and take your chance. We've been lucky with Alan (O'Flynn, owner). He asked me to buy him fillies in the past few years and we got Purple Lily the first year and now this one, so he has two nice fillies. 

"We'll take her home now, and aim to go up the grades, hoping to get black-type."

The Punchestown Festival brought the curtain down on another fantastic jumps season. 

Paul Townend enjoyed a brilliant Punchestown with hugely impressive victories for Galopin Des Champs and Stateman. 

Townend and his sister Jody were two of the six 2024/25 Irish National Hunt champions confirmed at Punchestown on Saturday afternoon.

JP McManus was named the champion owner for the 22nd time, and he said, “To be crowned champion owner is a huge honour for my family and me. 

"Huge thanks to all the trainers, jockeys and stable staff and all who play a huge part in our success.” 

Other season-end leaders were: Willie Mullins, who was winning the champion trainer title for the 19th time; Mullins's son Patrick, who earned his 17th champion amateur title; and champion conditional jockey Tiernan Power Roche.

Willie Mullins has rewritten the history books on numerous occasions and won the British Trainers crown as well which is an incredible achievement. 

“I thought we could never top last season but this season has been the stuff of dreams," Mullins said.

"Patrick winning the Aintree Grand National was a very special moment for Jackie and me which will be hard to top. 

"We have tremendous owners and none of our success would be possible without their support nor our hugely dedicated team who leave no stone unturned when it comes to the care of our horses, so a huge thanks has to go to them.” 

Cork jockeys Darragh O’ Keeffe and young John Shinnick from Glanworth also enjoyed exceptional seasons. 

Both riders made massive strides throughout the year with O’Keeffe seizing the opportunities at Henry De Bromhead while Racheal Blackmore was out injured. 

He finished the season with 61 winners finishing fourth in the Jockeys Title. Shinnick enjoyed a great association with Carrigtwohill trainer Terrence O’Brien finishing with 28 winners for the season and finishing runner up in the Conditional Riders championship. 

Both riders look destined for the top in the coming years.

The opening Classics of the flat season provided Godolphin with a famous double over the weekend. 

Desert Flower claimed the Betfred 1000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, who landed the 2000 Guineas with Ruling Court on Saturday, the chestnut was the evens favourite under William Buick.

Buick was chasing for his first success in the race and the duo led the group racing on the far side as a smaller handful challenged up the near side.

Desert Flower set the seal on an exceptional weekend for Godolphin, with the owner having also landed Saturday’s Kentucky Derby with Sovereignty to supplement Friday’s Oaks success with Good Cheer.

Appleby said: “It’s been an amazing weekend and I’m genuinely such a lucky person. Outside it seems there’s huge amounts of pressure, but for me it’s enjoyable and to be able to speak to His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed) last night and today and congratulate him on what we’ve achieved and what’s been achieved within Godolphin over in America, it’s been a phenomenal weekend.

“As I said to a few people beforehand, I spoke to the team in America this morning and said ‘thanks very much lads, you’ve really tightened the screw a little bit’. I said ‘I’m normally the one that’s pretty cool.

“But the filly herself, she’s the one that deserves the plaudits today, let’s not take it away from her. She’s an unbeaten filly, we came here with a lot of confidence as everyone knows and she’s gone and delivered and so therefore, it’s her day."