Goldrush for Kearney on the sand
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Action on the strand at Laytown on Thursday. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net David MullenImage 2 of 19
Colin Keane’s Lohengrin in mid-air on the beach at Laytown before being passed by Chavajod to win the O’Neills.com Handicap race. David MullenImage 3 of 19
Stamullen’s Gary and Emer McAuley at the races on Thursday. David MullenImage 4 of 19
Ratoath’s George Ballence and Darren Tormey. David MullenImage 5 of 19
Bettystown’s Kathleen and JP Harley with Cathy Harley . David MullenImage 6 of 19
Bettystown’s Karen McCarthy and Alan Dillon. David MullenImage 7 of 19
Bettystown’s Peter and Kathleen Butler. David MullenImage 8 of 19
The local Hopkins family at Laytown races on Thursday. David MullenImage 9 of 19
Locals Edel and Martin Crosbie with Deirdre Caffrey. David MullenImage 10 of 19
Elaine Murphy, Gladis Izabella, Caitlin and Patrick Cahill at Laytown races. David MullenImage 11 of 19
Evelynn Lee and Liz Barry from Laytown. David MullenImage 12 of 19
Holly Rowley, Mia Farrell and Aoibhinn Maguire from Laytown. David MullenImage 13 of 19
Laytown’s Sean and Elaine Brennan. David MullenImage 14 of 19
Navan’s Olive and John Lally. David MullenImage 15 of 19
Eiko Wyerfema and Patricia McAllister from Bettystown. David MullenImage 16 of 19
INSET LEFT: Sarah Bellew (Bettystown), Linda Scott (Belfast) with Jake and Conor Bellew (Bettystown) at Laytown on Thursday. David MullenImage 17 of 19
Bettystown’s Annie Boylan with Roisin and Paídi Daly enjoying the races at Laytown. David MullenImage 18 of 19
Alannah Fearn, Sarah Curran, Tess Kelly, Emma O’Leary, Lulu Angela, Julia O’Connor, Heidi Conroy and Abigail Stafford all from Laytown at the races on Thursday. David MullenImage 19 of 19
Laytown’s Carol Anne and Max Trela. David MullenIt was like a throwback to old times as the unique appeal of racing on the strand at Laytown drew a huge crowd on Thursday last.
Goldrush Kid (5-1) won the first race, a claimer, for Shercock trainer Paddy Magee with Navan jockey Jack Kearney leading throughout the six-furlong trip. The margin of victory was half a length.
“This was my first ride on the beach so that box is ticked! We knew he stays further, so we went forward,” Kearney said.
Initial Blue fulfilled a bucket-list ambition for American Staton Flurry to be present for a winner in his distinctive silks at Laytown.
The Arkansas-based owner tasked Dunboyne trainer Jack Davison with finding a horse that could be competitive on the beach, prompting bloodstock agent Barry Lynch to source the gelding for £16,000 at Newmarket in July.
Encouraged by his preparation, Davison recently suggested to Flurry that he make the trip across the Atlantic to see his new acquisition in the flesh.
The dream result came through as Initial Blue made all in the hands of Harry Swan, the 14-1 chance hanging on by a head at the line.
“It is just so unique here. It is somewhere I have watched for a long time and I just wanted to have a horse running at Laytown,” Flurry said.
“We have been looking for a while. We got him for a very good price and here we are in the winner’s circle! This is why I love racing. Thanks to Jack and his team for making it happen.”
Hugo’s Girl finally got her turn in the winners’ enclosure at the 21st attempt when staying on best in the 7f maiden at Laytown last week. Victory came as reward for consistency that had seen the filly go close several times.
Talented apprentice Rory Mulligan, riding on the strand for the first time, ground out a length break at the line on the 11-4 chance.
Jockey Harry Swan took the riding honours at Laytown with a 140-1 double, the second leg courtesy of Hygge (17-2) in the closing handicap for amateur riders.
A winner over hurdles two runs prior, Gordon Elliott’s gelding had little trouble dropping back markedly in trip to seven furlongs.