My father studied horses
Course and distance and soft ground
He studied form and bloodline and the weight
His morning work like ‘A’ levels
A quiet morning task
His selection done by lunchtime never late
And when he couldn’t get about
His legs now getting slow
He kindly asked if mammy would be willing
To take his bet in to the shop
When she was out for food
No problem said the mammy if you’re winning
And racing on the telly
Filled the happy hours for him
Channel Four on every afternoon
An interest and a study
And entertainment too
And winning a few bob was just a boon
And today he would applaud a girl
Rachel Blackmore is her name
Whose Cheltenham form astonished one and all
And now she’s won the National
Would you ever credit that
Well done our Rachel the girl from Killenaule
Brian Fahy
10 April 2021
Erris Poetry 