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Schiehallion wins for Downpatrick's leading trainer of 2026

Schiehallion Schiehallion
© Healy Racing Photos

Nine-year-old Schiehallion finally got a win on the board on start number 24 when landing Downpatrick's final race of 2026, the Northern Ireland On Course Bookmakers Handicap Chase over three miles.

Runner-up three times over hurdles and having just a fourth outing over the larger obstacles, the Cour Cave gelding raced in second as stablemate Malton Groove established a clear lead. That one gradually came back to the field and Alix Balfe's mount went on before three out and stayed on well up the hill to beat recent Sligo winner Mini Getaway by 13 lengths.

"He has been consistent without winning," said winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin.  "A school friend of mine, Robbie Keane, bought him. I asked him to buy him, the other man that had him was coming to the end of his time with him.

"I always thought he would win a race and he's a good jumper.

"He seems to like it around here which is a big help."

On being the leading trainer in Downpatrick this year with seven winners, he added: "Things worked out here for me.

"They seem to like going up and down the hills, and they got the good ground which most of my horses like."

 Additional reporting by Gary Carson 

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.