The Vincent Delaney Memorial Committee is proud to announce that one of North America’s top drivers, Dan Noble, has committed to coming to Ireland for the Delaney Memorial Weekend, August 12 and 13, 2017.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Noble. “I was so surprised and pleased to be asked to come over. I was talking with Aaron Merriman about it and he told what a good time I will have. I’ve heard about what a great race weekend it is and now I’m gonna be part of it.”
Noble has been following the footsteps of his late father, top driver and trainer, Chip Noble. Dan first started driving in 1999 with just eight wins and now sports nearly 4,700 victories. Over the course of his career, Dan has steered his mounts to nearly $25 million in purse earnings.
Dan’s banner year was 2011, when he won 773 races and was the leading dash winner in all of harness racing. He was the leading driver at both Northfield Park and Scioto Downs. That year, Dan was also honoured by the United States Harness Writers Association with the Dan Patch Rising Star Award.
“How great it will be that Dan is coming over to Ireland for our brother’s race,” said Derek Delaney, founder of the VDM with his brother, James. The race is named after their younger brother, who tragically passed away in 2011. “Not only is Dan a world class horseman, but he also drives Drunk On Your Love, perhaps the best three-year-old in Ohio this year, who is sired by Foreclosure N, who we have standing at Oakwood Stud in Ireland.
"Dan is a world-class driver," Delaney added, "And we are sure to show him a great time here both on and off the track. He will be sure to have some good drives at Portmarnock Raceway on Saturday and Sunday."
The Vincent Delaney Memorial is a tough test for two-year-old pacers, as elimination divisions will take place on the Saturday and the finals will be contested the very next day (on the Sunday). The colt division is sponsored by Hanover Shoe Farm and the filly division by Diamond Creek Farm.
Also on the program that weekend is the Alabar/Oakwood Stud Derby, the Yirribee Stud Australia Paul Murtagh, Sr. Derby, PJI Engineering FFA Pace, the Elvin/Delaney FFA Trot plus other big stakes events.
Noble says he does not think he has any Irish heritage in his bloodlines.
“Not a drop that I know of,” he laughed. “But I am sure it will not stop me from having a great time and meeting lots of great people there.
“I’m bringing my girlfriend, Christi Rae, and my mom is also coming with us,” Noble said. “I’ve got good help to take care of the 20 horses in my stable while we are away. Can’t miss this chance. It will be a helluva experience.”
The list of special guests who are coming to Ireland this year for the VDM reads like a ‘who’s who’ of harness racing from around the world.
Also attending are Murray Brown from Hanover Shoe Farm, Brett Coffey from Alabar Stud in Australia, Heather Vitale of ‘Post Time’ and Susan Looney. Roger Huston will be calling the races again. Klaus Koch of Sweden’s Elitloop fame, will there, as will Rachel Keeney and Caroline Vazquez from Diamond Creek Farm. Clive and Anne Dalton from Australia will be in attendance, as will Mike Carter of the Mike & Mike Show. Australian promoter and publicist Bill Hutchison will be there, as will Belgium breeder Filip Van Hauwermeiren. Dean Hoffman, former ‘Hoof Beats’ editor, will be there, as will prominent US owners Bill Donovan and Joe Sbrocco, who is bringing a group of ten people over.
For more information about the Vincent Delaney Memorial Weekend, visit vincentdelaneymemorial.com.
(Vincent Delaney Memorial)