Kilbrin jockey Conor King wins a share in the National Championship
CORK jockeys are amongst the rising stars in equine sport and confirmed at the National Pony Racing Awards 2011 drawing a huge turn out to Gullane's Hotel in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway over the weekend.
Much promise and potential surrounds Kilbrin jockey Connor King who shared the National Overall Championship with Luke Dempsey from Kildare. The pair fought out a titanic struggle thoughout the concluding two months of the season.
Leo Powell, Managing Director of the sponsoring The Irish Field, was on hand to present the awards described a draw as a fair result. Both jockeys will enjoy their final season Horse and Pony Racing in 2012 before heading to the race track proper in 12 months time.
Few young riders have burst onto the scene in the manner that Conor has, hitting a rich vein of form all through the season. King possesses has the talent to make a serious impact as a full time jockey and bagged a series of impressive wins during the season.
On a good night for Southern jockeys Denis Linehan from Glantane near Mallow enjoyed another tremendous season to take an award winner in the 13.2 hand pony category. Lenihan is seen as another real star for the future and set to follow in the footsteps of his brother Eddie who is currently making a big name for himself in England at the moment.
Other familiar names from the Southern circuit to receive National Awards include Pat O'donnell from Hospital, Co. Limerick who enjoyed a great season with the West Cork based Castle Racing in 2011 and Keith Moriarty from Killorglin, Co. Kerry, coming to prominence from big wins in Newmarket and Dingle with the high class Vodka.
Racing resumes on May on the Southern circuit with the Newmarket May meeting, a premier fixture on the Horse and Pony Racing calendar.
- John Tarrant
