With The Avondhu area steeped in racing tradition, a new national hunt racing series commencing this month ‘Laochra Na Rasaíochta’, featuring Ireland’s greatest horses from Arkle to Al Boum Photo, will attract much attention.
Specially commissioned by TG4 it will commence on Friday, 27th December at 9.55pm with a special one-hour documentary on the tale of the legendary mare ‘Dawn Run’, the only horse in history to have completed the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle/Gold Cup double.
The special Dawn Run documentary features contributions from all the major characters in this incredible tale of promise, achievement, disappointment, glory and ultimately tragedy.
Contributors include the late Paddy Mullins, his wife Maureen, their sons Tony, Tom and Willie Mullins. Owner, the late Charmian Hill, and her son Jeremy Hill also feature while jockey Jonjo O’Neill gives his unique perspective on one of racing’s most extraordinary tales.
The Dawn Run documentary also features the never-to-be-forgotten 1986 match between Dawn Run and Buck House at Punchestown, with trainer Mouse Morris and jockey Tommy Carmody providing us with their memories of that special day.
The ‘Laochra na Rasaíochta’ series begins with a look at the Arkle story, which will be aired on Thursday, 18th February.
Episodes 2, 3 and 4 – screened on three consecutive Thursdays from 25th February – will chronicle the achievements of Ireland’s other national hunt heroes over the past 50 years with footage of all the key moments and contributions from the principal connections of each of these great horses.
Among the legendary horses set to feature over those episodes are L’escargot, Monksfield, Istabraq, Danoli, Doran’s Pride, Limestone Lad, Hurricane Fly and Tiger Roll.
The ‘Laochra na Rasaíochta’ series concludes with another look at the Dawn Run story, that will be aired during the 2021 Cheltenham Festival on the eve of the 35th anniversary of Dawn Run’s historic completion of the unprecedented Champion Hurdle/Gold Cup double.
‘Laochra na Rasaíochta – Dawn Run’ is directed by Stephen Cullinane and Luke McManus and produced by Denis Kirwan and Dave Keena. Director of Photography was Peter Moffett.
