Zodiac Jack of Southern/Carrigaline Harriers wins two races in 24 hours in two different countries
Ger Kenneally with Zodiac Jack of Southern/Carrigaline Harriers winner of the Non HRA International in Cumbria and the Griffin United Senior draghunt at Whitechurch. Also included are Theresa Kenneally and Ian Freyne.
There have been many great achievements since the sport of draghunting first came to the fields of Cork over 100 plus years ago.
But, last weekend, Zodiac Jack of Southern/Carrigaline Harriers won the Non HRA International in Cumbria on Saturday, and 20 hours later secured success in the Griffin United Senior draghunt at Whitechurch on Sunday.
The trek to Cumbria started on Thursday morning when trainers Ger Kenneally and Ian Freyne departed Cork for 7am ferry trip from Belfast to Starnraer.
Arriving in Cumbria mid- afternoon on Thursday the Cork trainers had to get their hounds prepared for the International meeting on Saturday afternoon at Edges Green.
Success on Saturday at the English venue saw the trek back to Cork in earnest getting underway for the midnight ferry at Stranraer back to Belfast.
After a 1,600km roundtrip Zodiac Jack was back on the Bandon Road on Sunday morning at 6am and after a walk around the Lough was kenneled up until 10.30 before setting off for Whitechurch.
The heat of the morning certainly affected many hounds but credit to Zodiac Jack she showed resilience beyond belief to cross the tape ahead of the Pat O’Mahony trained Hannah Bawn with the Martin Wall Mayfield trained Wolfe Tone Lass securing third ticket.
Speaking after the draghunt an emotional Ger Kenneally paid tribute to his hound and all concerned with the kennel on this once in a lifetime achievement.
“I cannot explain my true feelings as to win in England at their biggest meeting and then travel back to Cork and win a second draghunt in less than 24 hours is something dreams are made of,” said Ger Kenneally.
In the Senior Maiden draghunt there was joy for Mary Barrett of Shanakiel harriers when her charge Lewis Lass won a tight finish.
After a titanic race to the tape the winner saw off the James and Joy Greene trained Starman’s Son with the Trina and Ken Long trained Casey Jack securing third ticket after another gallant run.
The Puppy action at Killavallig on Friday was a good test for all the young hounds with the honours going to the Tristan O’Herlihy trained Starlight of Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers.
There is little doubt the terrain at this venue is always clean for hounds and in a driving finish the winner saw off championship leader Putting on the Style trained by William Freyne and Ryan Duffy of Clogheen harriers.
Mossy’s Diamond trained by Kyle and Calum McCarthy of Mayfield is having a solid season and he ran another cracker to snatch third ticket ahead of Blue Lily, Charlotte’s Lass and Slievemish Queen.
The Puppy Maiden draghunt was declared void with only two hounds completing the course over the allotted time.
1. Zodiac Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 2. Hannah Bawn (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 3. Wolfe Tone Lass (Mayfield); 4. Magic’s Choice (Mayfield); 5. Border Mystery (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Wolfe Tone Lady (Mayfield).
1. Lewis Lass (Shanakiel harriers); 2. Starman’s Son (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 3. Casey Jack (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 4. Tiger’s Belle (Shanakiel harriers); 5. Magic’s Pride (Mayfield); 6. Guinness Boy (Shanakiel harriers).
1. Starlight (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 2. Putting on the Style (Clogheen); 3. Mossy’s Diamond (Mayfield); 4. Blue Lily (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 5. Charlotte’s Lass (Shanakiel harriers); 6. Slievemish Queen (Clogheen).
1. Mossy’s Diamond (Mayfield); 2. One day at a Time (Clogheen); 3. Starlight (Kerry Pike/Fair Hill harriers); 4. Blue Lily (Southern/Carrigaline harriers); 5. Anyone on the Phone (Mayfield); 6. Charlotte’s Lass (Shanakiel harriers).
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