Sire Stakes Ireland Announce New Major Sponsor
The first ever Sire Stakes Series for Ireland is set to take place at Portmarnock on Sunday 16th August at Portmarnock Raceway and the recent press launch for event James Delaney the committee chairman unveiled Doyle Air Cargo as its main sponsor. Never before attempted in Ireland this series represents a great opportunity for breeders to race for a big money purse for just a small stake payment. Stallion owners nominate their horses and progeny of these stallions are then eligible to race on the day. More stallions are needed to swell the pot end eligables for the 2016/2017 seasons but Delaney has said it had to start somewhere and upcoming 2015 schedule gives a great springboard for expansion in the years to follow.
Nine first season pacers have been staked up for the 2 year olds division where 3 separate sires are represented. Of these Kikikolt (Western Hanover/Katies Lucky Lady) is the overwhelming dominant sire with 5 runners followed by Crown Manhattan (Northern Luck/Wild Proposition) with 3 and new sire to the ranks Urban Guy (Artiscape/Tiburon Jane). 6 of the nine are in training with John Richardson and Willy Flanagan of the renowned Meadowbranch facility in Oldtown. Among those is Meadowbranch Queen out of Churchill Queen, arguably the most prolific broodmare of the last decade in Ireland boasting classic winners Romeo, Frank, Liath, Gigolo, Josh and Demon with all bearing the famed Meadowbranch prefix.
In the 3 year olds division 5 different sires are represented including Kikicolt, Earned Income (Dream Away/Kleen Acquisition), Share The Delight (Bettors Delight/Angels Share), Best Sunshine (Cambest/Matts Sunshine) and Galiano (Astreos/Whats The Buzz). Another interesting statistic is that 8 of the 13 three year olds engaged to run in the series are from US imported dams. Again the Meadowbranch training operation are mob-handed staking no less than 5 runners including the first four in the ante post betting Meadowbranch Matt, Meadowbranch Millie, Kickasskatie and Shesgotanattitude.
Commenting on his sponsorship, Brian Doyle the managing director of Doyle Air Cargo quipped that “having been solely responsible for importing virtually all the sires and dams represented in the series its great to give something back to the breeders some of whom are clients of long standing. It is an honour to sponsor the series and it hallmarks our commitment to seeing harness racing develop and prosper in Ireland”
Doyle Air Cargo is synonymous for the importation of standardbreds into the British Isles including stallions, broodmares and yearlings. His firm has built up a reputation honed over 2 decades delivering a professional service to all UK and Irish clients ensuring repeat business year after year with Harrisburg his busiest period of the calendar.
For stallion owners interested in nominating their sires in the Irish Sire Stakes please check out their Facebook Page Sire Stakes Ireland or the website www.sirestakesireland.com
