Irish jockey Brian Byrne will be in action at Sandown today.INTERNATIONAL racing will come to Sandown today (Thursday) when the track hosts a team of Irish jumps jockeys pitting their skills against their Australian counterparts.
The cross country jockeys will compete in the feature $22,000 CIP Australia v Ireland Hurdle (3000 metres) to be run on the Sandown Lakeside track over 10 hurdles.
For 20 years the pilgrimage to Australia has become a regular feature with Australian jockeys reciprocating other years by travelling to Ireland.
The Irish touring party of four riders plus manager Sean Lynch arrived in Australia on 14 August, initially competing in South Australia.
The team representing Ireland includes Brian Byrnes, 2005 Galway Hurdle and Aintree Grand National winner Nial Madden, former pony clubber turned professional jockey Kevin Coleman and popular hoop Niki O’Shea.
The Victorian team comprises captain Craig Durden, Brett Scott, Steven Pateman and Bill Williams. Adam Trinder is the reserve rider, should any rider be unable to fulfil an engagement.
The riders will complete the series at Moonee Valley this Saturday with the running of the $50,000 Dominant Steeplechase over 3200 metres.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 concession and children under 18 accompanied by an adult are free.
