The Vincent Delaney Memorial should be on everyone’s bucket list

This column is being written from our hotel room at The Westbury Hotel in Dublin, Ireland.

Why are we in Dublin you might ask? Primarily because our grandson Russell is doing an internship here and we are visiting. Russell just finished his freshman year at Bucknell University. The internship in various pursuits was offered primarily to upper classmen, but Russell was one of two freshmen who were accepted. To say that we are incredibly proud of the young man Russell has grown up to be, would be somewhat of an understatement. In just one word, Russell is terrific.

But we also have dear friends in Dublin — the Delaneys, Derek and Lillian, and their daughter Lexie.

I first wrote of the Delaneys and their sponsorship of the Vincent Delaney Memorial (VDM), the richest race for pacers in the United Kingdon and Ireland on Dec. 19, 2021. The race had its genesis from the sudden passing of Derek and his brother James’ younger brother Vincent, at the terribly young age of 27.

Needless to say, the death of one so young was shocking. How could Derek and James build a memorial to their brother? They established a stakes race for 2-year-old pacers which carried the name of Vincent. The first Vincent Delaney Memorial was raced at Portmarnock Raceway about 30 minutes from Dublin. The first race in 2012 carried a purse of 10,000 euros and was open to colts and fillies.

Since that first VDM, the race has spawned a sister event for fillies and has incrementally grown to where this year’s events combined will go for 125,000 euros for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds. With 65,000 of that going to the freshman divisions.

What began as an important, but relatively minor race, has now grown to become the VDM Festival of Racing, encompassing participants and fans from all over the world. This year’s events will also include the Bernie Kelly Memorial International Ladies Race that includes eight women drivers from all over the world, vying for female driving supremacy: Erin Flanagan (Ireland), Kelly Peacock (United Kingdom), Laura Frendo (Malta), Miia Salminen (Finland), Britt Grift (Netherlands), Chrissy Johnson (United States), Marie-Claude Auger (Canada), and Cynthia Bourke (Australia). This is fitting because Kelly was a huge part of the founding of the VDM and was a big part of the administration in the sport in Ireland where it was all about the ladies. The Hambletonian Society helps to sponsor it along with USTA, OHHA, COSA, USHDC, GLADA, and the Kelly family.

The racing itself has moved across the Irish Sea to Tir Prince Raceway in North Wales. But the festival itself and all events leading up to the racing is still resident in Ireland.

When it comes time to race, everybody boards the ferry and they are off to Wales.

Speaking specifically of our trip, our overseas journey began with five days spent in my favorite city in the world, London. As Samuel Johnson said, “The person who is tired of London is tired of life.”

London was hopping. We were there during the last week of Wimbledon. England was still involved in the FIFA World Cup. The theatres were packed. People, mostly young ones, were everywhere. Almost everywhere we went, we were the oldest people. Every time we were on the underground people got up and offered us their seats. People were so kind. I had no idea that we looked so old and infirmed.

After five days, we took an early morning flight to Dublin.

The energy in Dublin is awesome. It seemed to me as though life there revolves around the pubs. Young people are everywhere, talking, singing, and raising their glasses.

We had dinner the first night with Russell and caught up with him. He is doing exceptionally well. He loves Ireland, his job, the people with who he works, and most especially the Irish Joie de Vivre.

On Wednesday night, our last evening here, we all met for dinner with Derek and Lillian at the gorgeous rooftop restaurant Dion. It was wonderful meeting up with old friends. Russell and the Delaneys hit it off beautifully.

Lots of horse talk with Derek. Firstly, the bad. Ireland seems to be beset with many of the problems we have here in North America. Harness racing is very much a secondary sport to that of our thoroughbred brethren. The number of race dates have declined. Breeding which had been on an upward trajectory is now on hold.

Regarding the good, this year’s VDM Festival shapes up to be one of the biggest and best ever. The purse for the Vincent Delaney Memorial will be 65,000 euros. Unfortunately, this year’s VDM weekend coincides with that of the Hambletonian, which will negatively affect North American attendance here.

Heather Wilder will be coming with a group of approximately 26 North Americans. Australians, and Canadians. Mike Tanner CEO of the USTA will be on the tour with his wife Gail.

I mentioned to Derek that the first time I’d heard of Dexter Dunn was when I saw him win the VDM. Dunn has actually been here twice. Others of note who have competed here are Wally Hennessey, Anthony Butt, Aaron Merriman, George Brennan, Dan Noble, Jordan Stratton, and Mike Wilder. I’m sure there are some I’ve left out. To those, I apologize.

I’ll close by saying, in my mind, there are three great small-town events that every harness racing fan needs to attend entirely for the love of the sport. They are the Little Brown Jug, the Gold Cup & Saucer, and the VDM. If you haven’t been to any of them, you owe it to yourself to do so.