March 2026

The flat season is back up and running for 2026 and, from a small number of runners in March, we got amongst the winners and had several horses reach the frame.

Well-run races tend to bring out the best in Bella Colombia and it was great for the COR Racing Syndicate when she won for the second time in her career at Dundalk this month. Billy gave her a lovely, cool ride. He rode her from off the pace and felt that she enjoyed going up through horses. A 3lb rise means she’ll now have to step up in grade, but we’ll have her to look forward to back on the grass again before long.

A second win for Bella Columbia, Dundalk

Stag Night has been a very consistent horse in Amanda’s colours and he began his season with two solid runs at the Curragh; finishing third and second over six and five furlongs. While he handles an ease in the ground - and that can be easier on his feet - I’m not sure better ground is a problem for him either. There’s another five-furlong handicap for him back at the Curragh in mid-April that we could target next.

Navy Waters made great progress last season and I thought she ran a big race on her first start of the year at Navan when finishing third. We stepped her up to a mile and six furlongs for the first time and the feeling is that she probably didn’t quite stay the trip - she had travelled into it beautifully. We’ll now look at coming back to a mile and a half. I’m hopeful she’ll have a good season in store for her owner-breeder Miceal Sammon.

Happy Henry hasn’t been the easiest to get his head in front but he had a decent first run of the season when third on the same card at Navan. He’s shown up well on both of his runs there and we’ll keep trying to find an opening for him in similar races.

We also had Earthsong finish fourth on her reappearance at Navan. She’s a very well bred Camelot filly for Al Shira'aa Racing, so it’ll be important that we manage to get her a winning bracket this season.

Finally, things probably didn’t go completely smoothly for Sanctijude on her comeback run at Naas when fourth. That said, the way it unfolded - half stumbling and then jumping into the air when the gates opened - she probably didn’t have a hard race, and I think that should stand to her. We could go for a median auction maiden at Gowran Park next. Fingers crossed she can get off the mark in due course for the Deegans.

We’re all pleased to have the flat season back in action. No doubt the weeks and months ahead will continue to get busier as the season develops.