IT’S not every night that an unsuspecting audience is treated to a free performance by an internationally renowned star but that’s the spectacular treat that awaited punters on the opening evening of the four-day festival of racing in Killarney this Monday.
Several hundred racing enthusiasts at the scenic Bunrower track could hardly believe their ears – and eyes – when world famous tenor Dr Ronan Tynan spontaneously burst into song in the parade ring.
But he had good reason to do so as he had just watched his horse, Dashing Lady, romp to victory in the penultimate race of the evening.
Trained by John W Nicholson and piloted by Mark Enright, the 25/1 rank outsider powered past the post in the Malton Handicap Hurdle on her first start for the Thurles, Co Tipperary based trainer.
Dashing Lady won a point-to-point at Killeagh in January 2013 but failed to impress on her next 10 starts on the track.
But she was back to her winning ways in Killarney much to the delight of Dr Tynan who gave a rousing rendition of Will You Go Lassie Go with his booming voice filling the course and reverberating around the stands.
The tenor won’t have much of an opportunity for further celebrations tonight, however, as he has a flight to the US to catch at 3am.
