A HUGE WEEK IN KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

It’s a huge week for all involved at Kilkenny track with wonderful racing on Friday and Sunday.

The action on Friday night will include the opening round heats of the Mary Ramsbottom Memorial ON2 525, but the real feature of the week is Sunday’s card which includes the final of the €32,000 Champion Open Unraced.

It also happens to be a fundraiser for Young Irelands GAA Club. The opening race is scheduled for 7.30pm and there is an auction on the night for an 11-month old bitch pup (choice of 2). The pup has been donated by Paul Hennessy and boasts an impressive pedigree as a daughter of Jaytee Taylor and Kilara Mary.

The dam, Kilara Mary, is a daughter of Scolari Me Daddy and Kilara Lizzie. Kilara Mary’s first runner, Hello Wildcat, won around Kilkenny last week, posting an estimated time of 29.09. It was certainly a great start to her breeding career although it’s hardly a surprise as a daughter of top brood Kilara Lizzie who has bred numerous top class trackers including Derby finalist Kilara Icon.

Of course, the sire, Jaytee Taylor was a real star on the track and early signs would suggest he could make a bit of a splash at stud also. Of his first six runners, five have won. All proceeds from the auction will go to Young Irelands GAA Club and we wish them the best with their fundraising efforts.