Mustang Prince took the opening race of the 1971 season for T Harty under Connie Vaughan and went on to remain unbeaten from three runs. The final race on the card went to Rockaway Rose for P Mangan ridden by I Williams. This mare went on to win all of her three outings during the season also.
At the Ormond point-to-point, the opening race went to Star News under Helen Bryce-Smyth who won all of his five races making him the leading pointer of the season.
At Punchestown the opening race was won by Joseph McGraths Garravogue ridden by Dermot Weld enjoying his first success in point-to-points.
Leo Hayes enjoyed a double at Kilmallock on Mrs G Hogans Trim and Dr T Quanes Tullyleake.
John Rothwells hat trick scorer The Leap, won at Lingstown by two lengths from Solo Prince under Dermot Weld. Another hat trick scorer Speedville, won on the same card under Willie Brown.
At Kilkenny, 29 runners were declared for the Open maiden race. The Stewards considered it dangerous for so many runners to take part so an impartial draw – 15 runners in Div 1 and 14 runners in Div 2 was made, the latter to be run after the last race.
Under 13st 7lbs Andrew McNamara steered Ballyknock VI to success in the McDonagh Memorial Cup at the Limerick Harriers Fixture at Fedamore.
At Kildorrery, Connie Vaugh won aboard Ruakura who won three of his seven starts that season.
Bright Trick and Mount Kearny who won seven races between them that season was the feature winners at Taylorstown and both were owner ridden by well-known Turf Club official Frankie Fitzsimmons and leading point-to-point rider Ann Ferris.
Ballymahon-based Eamonn Finn who is still training winners alongside his brother Jack, saddled Top Scot under John Cash at The Pigeons while George Chaffney took the final contest on Thunderbolt VI.
At Nenagh Ted Walsh steered Solo Prince to success in the maiden for E Mahon, Tully Leake who won four of his five starts that season took the heavyweight race under 13st and the hat trick scorer Shakey Times initiated a double for the Kennys completed by Fairy Mountain VI in the last.
At Sligo Helen Bryce Smyth won on Kilspindie who scored on three occasions in 1971 while Declan Gilroy took the final race on Larry V.
The Scarteen (Black And Tans) meeting at Knocklong saw P P Hogan ride his final winner aboard Rocky VI Lightweight Confined by a length but he had to survive an objection. The Scarteen Hunt Cup Heavyweight Confined went to Aidan O’Connell aboard Sir B Warrens Friday VI.
At the Tipperary fixture held at Cashel, John Rothwell scored twice with The Leap and South Side who won five races between them that season.
One of the better mares of the season Ribbon Perfume won at Craigantlet at the North Down fixture and won three of her four starts that season.
The Hunt race at Armagh went to Dr J F Gillespies Duplate with the owner steering this winner to victory by a distance. Dr J F Gillespies latter married Lady Jane Alexander, where the pair enjoyed success with Dasheen, Coney Choice and Keephimbachwilliam to name just a few.
The final race went to Dessie Osborne aboard Shining Stone who remained unbeaten from only two starts this term.
Another winner of his only two starts was the Conheadys five-year-old Mid Clare who won at the Dromoland fixture on Monday April 12th.
At Rossahilly in Enniskillen Richard Filgate won the Nominated Hunter race on Blackout VI by a distance.
At Athenry Willie Leahy took the Members, Subscribers and Farmers race by ten lengths on Benhigh VI from Mr De La Poer Trench in second aboard Mini Bus VI. The Loughrea fixture at Dartfield is owned by Willie Leahy who also runs a trekking business from the Galway farm.
Dead Cert completed his hat trick for owner R Power who was aboard for this success at Kanturk.
Owenacurra had a busy season with ten starts but he notched up his third success at Carrigtwohill on May 5th. Ger Mulcachy took the final race on Kathleen VI.
1971
The riders table below is not complete. The winner and runner up are correct and it contains a selection of people who rode winners during the year.
RIDERS TABLE
17 C.Vaughan
13 I.Williams
12 W.E.Rooney
9 L.Hayes,
8 Helen Bryce-Smyth, J.Kenny,
7 M.Morris, J.O’Keeffe,
6 W.P.Browne, R.Martin, J.L.Rothwell,
5 F.Fitzimons, W.A.McLernon, R.Nicholson, T.O’Callaghan, Rosemary Stewart,
4 Mrs H Ferris, D.K.Weld,
3 J.Cash,W.Cash, M.Hickey, T.A.Jones,
2 M.Berry, M.Lowry, B.Murphy,
1 B.D.Byrne, T.Byrne, P.J.Casserly, I.Ferguson, J.Fowler, Dr J F Gillespie, P.P.Hogan, I.J.Keeling, J.Mernagh, A.J.McNamara, E.O’Grady, R.Steele, T.M.Walsh, V.Wilson,
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