Derek and James Delaney of Oakwood Stud have announced that the top driver and trainer in New Zealand, kiwis Dexter Dunn and Cran Dalgety, are both committed to coming to Ireland August 7-9 for the Ladbroke’s Vincent Delaney Memorial weekend.
Dexter Dunn is the 2015 World Driving Champion, which says it all for his ability on the racetrack. He drives for trainer Cran Dalgety’s Kentuckiana Lodge Stable, which is the top stable in all of New Zealand.
“What great news to get,” said Derek Delaney, “Last year we had Anthony Butt come over and drive and because he is in Australia now, he could not make it over again this year, so he contacted Dexter Dunn and Cran Dalgety and they jumped on the opportunity to come to Ireland.”
The Ladbrokes Vincent Delaney Memorial is the richest stakes race in all of Ireland and the UK. It takes place at Portmarnock Raceway just on the outskirts of Dublin. The Delaneys have developed the race into a three-day weekend event honouring the memory of their younger brother, Vincent, who tragically passed away in 2011.
The weekend gets underway Friday, August 7 with a nearly sold-out seminar and gala dinner dance, then Saturday’s card features the elimination races for Delaney Memorial for two-year-old pacers and Sunday’s card has major stakes races headed by the final of the Delaney Memorial and its consolation race.
“In my family, on my father’s side, the Dunns are Scottish,” Dexter Dunn said, “but my nana is a Fitzgerald and they are of Irish decent.
“I've never been to Ireland, the UK or Europe before,” Dunn said. “I am looking forward to getting over there and experiencing what Ireland has to offer. The first time I really got a good understanding of racing in Ireland was when Michael O'Mahony came over from Ireland and worked for my father Robert. I heard about the Delaney Memorial weekend when Anthony Butt when over there to drive in it last year and told me what a brilliant time it was.”
“My family hails from Scotland,” Cran Dalgety said. “My brother-in-law is Anthony Butt, who came to Dublin last year and thought it was amazing. He recommended I come over and share the experience this year. I have never been to Ireland before.
“I know it will be a great experience,” Cran said, “I am sure I won’t be there to train or drive and thus will be able to fully enjoy the experience. I will have my eyes and ears wide open and always looking for bigger and better ideas because we simply never stop learning.”
(Steve Wolf)