Top jocks set for Donkey Derby at Kilkenny track Taken from http://www.igb.ie It may seem strange to learn that the likes of champion riders Davy Russell, Paul Townend and Joseph O’Brien will be in action at Kilkenny Track’s annual BEAM meeting on Sunday evening. A special Donkey Derby is being staged as the major non-greyhound attraction on the night and Davy Russell confirmed yesterday evening that he will be there to ride a special Youghal donkey in the big race. Already the names of Paul Townend, Danny Mullins, Emmett Mullins and the champion amateur Patrick Mullins had been confirmed as definite starters. It is also hoped that in-form flat prodigy Joseph O’Brien may be there as he is trying to make it from his full book of rides at The Curragh’s Darley Irish Oaks meeting. Efforts are still being made to locate a Tipperary donkey capable of ferrying racing manager Tom Kinane to victory! Every effort is being made by the BEAM Committee to make this 23rd annual meeting a bigger success than ever in honour of the late Peter Meaney who was the driving force behind it for the past 22 years until his recent untimely death. It is great to see Peter being honoured with a race in his honour and his shadow will hang over the track through the night. Racing will commence at 7.30 pm and the eleven race greyhound card will comprise of eight sweepstake finals and three opens. Big race of the night will be the Red Mills Open 525, a one-off race with a winner’s prize of €2,500 and which will boast a high class line-up. Weigh-in will be between 6.30 and 7 pm.
