IN THE breeding world, County Wexford rests in third place behind Cork and Kildare as the home of thorough bred mares and breeders. It does have further strength in depth however as the base and spiritual home to some of our top trainers.

Horse Racing Ireland has issued its most up to date listings of registered trainers, both full and restricted, in Ireland with 26 full licence holders and 22 restricted licence holders in the county. Given the economic times that we live in, it is heartening to see the numbers, while a little reduced, sustain such a high level.

These figures of course do not include the likes of Aidan O'brien nor Jim Bolger who train in other counties but are also fellow county men and still have strong links to their home place. Having not reviewed these lists for a year or two, the full licence holders boast a couple of newer names including Thomas James in Camolin and Seán Osborne in Clonegal.

Of course, we still have our star trainers including Colm Murphy and Paul Nolan as well as some up and coming names in the shape of Liz Doyle from Kitestown, Martina Doran from Duncormick and William Codd.

The restricted licence holders number 22 in total and the most successful of these must be Frank Mcguinness from Blackwater. This is not due to numbers but his ability to train some good winners in 'Black Type' races. Training only for himself, he has an enviable record.

Others to note in this category would be the the point-to-point specialists, Liam Kenny from Craanford and Seán Doyle from Ballindaggin.

BETWEEN THE FLAGS

A 13-race marathon was the order of the day at Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary, with a few local yards muscling into the winners' enclosure. Barry O'neill joined forces with Adamstown man, Moses Mccabe, to take the second division of the six-year-old geldings' maiden with 'Shazner'. This 'All My Dreams' was always at the head of affairs, enjoyed the softer ground conditions, jumped well and ran on stoutly to win. Owned by Mccabe's daughter Joanne, the plans are to sell the horse or take in a winners' contest before this might happen.

Pat and Phyllis O'rourke made the trip to Tipperary a successful one when winning with 'Moscow Broge' in the first division of the older geldings' maiden. Ridden by their son, Jimmy, the seven-year-old 'Moscow Society' gelding was sent to the front some way from home and stayed on well to win. O'rourke trains in Silver Spring, Bridgetown, and indicated afterwards that he will try the horse in a winners' race prior to giving him a go on the track.

Colin Motherway went back to his native County Cork and had a winner with 'Danandy' in the opening four-year-old maiden. This 'Cloudings' gelding, a runnerup when fancied at Ballydarragh, duly won here in the colours of owner/breeder Mary Motherway. Motherway not only rode the horse but he trains it as well, with reports indicating that he will be in the sales ring in the not too distant future.

LEOPARDSTOWN

It's nearly here.. you can hardly contain yourself.. no, not the man in the red suit.. not the turkey, but something of much greater importance.. christmas racing at Leopardstown!

Our two top National Hunt yards are well represented in the headline races over the four days, with both Colm Murphy and Paul Nolan holding multiple entries. Racing opens on December 26 with the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Steeplechase. This event over two miles, one furlong sees Paul Nolan with two entries, both in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, 'Far Away So Close' and 'Westmeath'.

December 27 sees Colm Murphy's 'Big Zeb' hold an entry in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial a Bet Chase, with Nolan's 'Noble Prince' also holding an entry here.

The big handicap chase on the same Paddy Power day sees Nolan's 'See U Bob' and 'Adams Island', Murphy's 'The Hard Hat' and Liz Doyle's 'Twelfth of Never' all amongst the 69 entries.

The third day sees John Berry giving an entry to 'Give Us A Hand' in the Fort Leney Grade 1 Chase, with Paul Nolan also represented with 'Shinrock Paddy' and 'Westmeath'. The Lexus on the same card has 'Joncol' on duty for Nolan and 'Quito De La Roque' for Murphy, with 'Voler La Vedette' in the Festival Hurdle on the last day for Colm Murphy.

- with DICK WHITE