There may have been less patronage from Ireland at Tregaron this year but one Irishman, now based in Wales, dominated the meeting.
The adopted Welshman in question is Michael O’Mahony, who steered a glorious nine winners over the two days.
His first success on Day 1 was with the season’s leading 3-Y-O filly Lyons Lememay, who mastered Greenhildebatable by two and a quarter lengths in 2.10.68.
The second of the nine winners was behind Lowri Jones owned and trained veteran pacer Style Matters in heat 1 of the Strata Florida Handicap, which was to be followed by Southern Sunshine, three length winner of heat 5.
Lyons Lememay, who only qualified in July, came to Tregaron with wins in the NWHOA Championship, Breeders Crown and Alabar/Oakwood Stud 3-Y-O Fillies Championship on her card and left the glittering venue with a win in the Final of the Little Welsh Dragoness.
One final was not enough for O’Mahoney on Friday with the Strata Florida going to Southern Sunshine, winner on 2.10.40
So, that was Friday’s work, well Saturday’s day at the office saw In The Ayr pace to a ready win in heat 1 of the Welsh Classic ahead of Ghengis Pride in 2.09.16, however Meldoon went nearly two seconds faster in 2.07.28 after quickening from the quarter pole in heat 2.
Away form the Welsh Classic, Lyons Saint Marys built on a fourth placed effort at Boughrood a week earlier with a three and a half length success in division 2 of the Maiden.
The Group 1 Welsh Classic is a race most involved in the game wish to add their name to the roll of honour, but as most would vouch, its never easy.
This year’s race was no exception, with big efforts from the trailers Llewyns Delight and Happy Hands, the two finishing third and fourth respectively behind Meldoon and Rhyds Passion, after the former saw off the runner-up inside the closing stages by one length in 2.06.16.
This was the third final of the meeting to fall to O’Mahony, a truly big moment in this talented horseman’s career, a moment for owner Roy Roberts to savour as he took the Trophy home to Devon.
Of course, you can never keep a good team down and team Laidler celebrated five winners over the two days, including major wins in the Battle of the Big Guns and Junior Welsh Dragon.
Over a week ago last season’s Welsh Classic hero and dual Group 1 winner Evenwood Sonofagun booked his ticket for the Crock of Gold Final, and here, not for the first time in his career, played with talented rivals, beating Coalford Tetrick by three and a quarter lengths in 2.04.00 with the front two pulling clear of the rest.
Backers of the former winner of the race Stoneriggs Mystery knew thier fate early on, with the former Champion breaking on the first bend.
All we harness fans can say now is, BRING ON THE CROCK OF GOLD!
Saturday’s winning haul for the Laidler/Huschka team started with a stable one two in heat 3 of the Welsh Classic when Jack Swagger beat JMS Hallstar by a length and a quarter in 2.07.87.
Easy Company looks a very exciting prospect, the 4-Y-O advertised his talent with an effortless display in the Grade 1 Pace in the hands of Rocker.
By their admission, Raymond and Frank Huschka are not massive fans of the trotters, however they have a pretty smart square gaiter in Valseur DU Cygne, who turned the Aged Trot into a one horse race with an eleven length win.
Brett Lloyd and Shon Morgans own Vincent Delaney winner Matticulous, and after their successful raid of Portmarnock, had to settle for second place behind stablemate Merrington Movinup, who justified Rocker’s belief in him with this two length victory in the Junior Welsh Dragon.
While we are on the subject of the finals, controversy reigned after a messy start to the Little Welsh Dragon which saw All Good Hanover unable to play a role in the race.
The race eventually went to No Brakes, who got the run of the race for Steve Lees.
Saturday’s Junior Welsh Dragoness developed into a stretch dual between Greenhill Hanover and Browneyed Girl, with the former, a daugher of Bettors Delight, taking the honours for Mick Lord.
Turning the clock back to Friday, the opening race went in game style to Brywins Magicbeach, who is up for sale.
Crown Victoria landed the second heat of the little Welsh Dragoness for David Bevan before All Good Hanover justified Lee Fletcher’s high opinion of the son of Somebeachsomewhere in the first heat of the Little Welsh Dragon.
The second heat went to impressive Portmarnock winner Tarawood CJ, the four and a half length winner was supplemented at a cost of £1000 to race in this championship.
Heat 2 of the Strata Florida was certainly a memorable race for Alf and Joy Swinbank with a stable first and second as Bowriver beat Cardigan Flash Man by half a length.
After a restart to heat 3 Ayr Trooper took the honours for Watson Harrop Jr., scoring in 2.09.99, having only joined his new connections days before this race.
Rhun Wilson trained the first two home in heat 4 after Will Greenhorn steered home Dulais Daniel ahead of Reeds Scarlett.
Rhys Evans was full of praise for Lyons Rosella, winner of the first Junior Welsh Dragoness heat in 2.15.73.The winning driver feels the daughter of Lyons Rosella has a big future.
Rhyds Sapphire had a nightmare passage in the second Junior Welsh Dragoness heat when locked away against the pegs behind race heroine Greenhill Hanover,. The winner was given a fine drive by Mick Lord, who stacked the field up before sprinting for home.
There was local joy in the day 2 curtain raiser when Rhyds Adora landed the first division of the Maiden for owner, trainer, driver Dai Isaac.
A head split Oaks Telstar and Blackfield Jennie in the first division of the Novice, the race going in 2.12.35.
Rockin Mambo is a real star and again showed his quality when winning heat 4 of the Welsh Classic for Marc Jones in 2.07.37.
Jones stated the one area the son of Rocknroll Hanover struggles is having to repeat in a final.
His day may come!
One horse in the form of his life is Llewyns Delight, winner of a heat and final at Boughrood the previous weekend, he won the top heat of the Classic in 2.4.99 before pacing in third in the Final from a 50 yard trail.
Lee Price’s charge is surely good enough to hold his own in at least a Junior FFA.
Nemesis started life off in the same field as Champion 2014 2-Y-O Titanium, okay he has some way to go to match his exploits but he undeniably has an engine and future, and he took the second division of the Novice for Gareth Price, making it two straight wins.
The 3-Y-O Trot developed into a dual in the straight between Equilea Du Hauty and Eliothrop, two talented young trotters.
The former was in control when her nearest rival went into a break, after this Rhys Evans declared eyes are firmly set on the forthcoming big prizes and clashes with other leading light Ecume De Mer.
Tregaron was a real celebration of top class harness racing as we witnessed performances which the purists will take home and treasure.

Horses to Note
Easy Company,
Nemesis

Darren Owen