POINT-TO-POINT ARCHIVES: 1977

Two meetings were held on the opening Day on February 6th with B Brindleys Mulberry Flyer taking the opener at the Scarteen meeting at Knocklong under Mr A Brindley. A week later at Askeaton Mulberry Flyer was second in the Open Lightweight to P P Hogans The Jester and 90 minutes later returned to finish second to P P Hogans Under Way in the members and subscribers race.

At Patrickswell The Open maiden was abandoned. ‘Twenty one horses were declared to run in this race. The Stewards of the meeting had, before the first race, fixed the safety factor at 22. The riders concerned felt that the race should be divided and refused to ride. The stewards of the meeting therefore cancelled the race and reported the matter to the stewards of the INHS Committee who fully endorsed their decision.’

Dan Rohan and Battle Ark won the maiden at Killeagh where the Ballymacad’s hosted two of the best horses of the season. Corryvreckan who was unbeaten in six starts, won the Ladies Grand national under Rosemary Rooney en route to his six wins. The Open Lightweight went to Mrs J R Bryce Smiths Priory Road who won four races during the season. They won by 15 lengths and 20 lengths respectively.

On a Wednesday in March at Mount Ida just outside Banbridge, Ann Ferris scored a first and last race double on Sergeant Can and Rathkell Road. At the joint Kilkenny/Kilmoganny fixture held at Gowran Park Timmy Jones won the maiden on Mrs P V Doyles Silver Buck who won two of his four starts this season before departing to the UK to be trained by Michael Dickinson. His other points success came at the Island meeting at Gorey where Mick Sleator won by a neck from Nevulgan and John Queally.

He beat Night Nurse in the Embassy Chase Final at Haydock in 1979 and won the 1982 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He won an astonishing four hurdles and 30 steeplechases and remains one of the finest of all point-to-point graduates to this day. Sadly his highly strung nature saw him killed in an accident at his yard where he spooked while leaving Dickinsons yard during morning exercise and galloped rider less into a wall. He finished fourth of Michael Dickinsons famous first five in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

There was a treble at Boulta under the United banner for owner P Flynn with Liam O’Donoghue on board. Don’t Charge, Another Ark and Strawhall completed the hat trick.

At The Pigeons the prolific multiple winner Annagh Lady owned by Richie Collins scored under Michael Scott with 13st 10lbs on her back by fifteen lengths. Joe Moorhead’s three times winner Craigy Lad was also among the winners on the card.

Chets Dream won at Coolattin, Shillelagh under E Woods as one of his four victories during the season.
At Tyrella Rosemary Rooney won on the three times scorer Naratious King for J Rea while another hat trick scorer O’Malley Pride was also among the winners for J & R Crawford. 

Ian Buchanan rode his first winner on Poker Dot at Galgorm for E J Robinson. Ivan Keeling and Jim Mernagh shared doubles at the Bree meeting at Coolbawn, Rathmure. Keeling on J Morris’ New Road and his own Head Striker while Mernagh scored on J J Cullens Deep Pearl and M O’Connors Mery Gusto.
At Comber Hugh Ferguson won the opener on his own Psoas Minor while Victor Wilson and John Queally bagged doubles apiece on a five race card.  Hugh is a well-known face across the northern point-to-points and is also a steward with The Turf Club at many track meetings around the country.

At Castletown-Geoghegan Alan Ross won the opener on Master What. Mrs H Kinirons was cautioned for dismounting in the wrong place following her success on Black Tam. Andrew McCarron won on Happy Cup and Michael McElhone won on Carrick Queen in the nomination race.

At Loughbrickland Alfie Buller won the Farmers Chase on Flying Rajah. At Ballingarry Guy Williams won the maiden on Mrs D M Perrys Dark Slipper while Angela Hemphill won the opener on Gypsy Boy at Athenry.