McGivern’s Miracle: The Story of Powerscourt 

If you hang around the racetrack enough, you’re sure to get a lifetime supply of harness racing stories from horsemen about their experiences and their horses. One story most horsemen have that doesn’t get enough recognition is the one of the miracle horse – the horse that overcomes the odds and makes it back to the track. For the McGivern Stable, that horse is Powerscourt.

Trained by Cheryl McGivern, Powerscourt is a seven-year-old son of Credit Winner and the Cash Hall mare Miss Connor. The trotter has a career record of 16-31-26 in 113 starts to go along with $269,156 in career earnings. He is owned by Charles “Chip” Foster, William Carroll, and Michael Sentiwany. Michael “Mickey” McGivern has been his regular driver throughout 111 of his starts.

In 2017, Powerscourt was bought out of the Harrisburg Sale by the McGivern partnership along with Chip Foster.

“[We] went to Harrisburg in search of a Credit Winner yearling who would fit within the $25,000 budget. During the course of our inspection of over twenty prospective yearling purchases, when the three of us inspected Powerscourt, we were immediately taken by his regal stature and impressive size. And Cheryl and I then silently smiled at each other and shook our heads,” Chip said. “No, we wouldn’t have a chance of buying Powerscourt within our modest budget.

“So, it was the first of many miracles when the hammer came down and Powerscourt was ours for the allotted $25,000. It was the only Credit Winner to fall within the budget established by me and my two partners, Mike Sentiwany and Mike Carroll,” said Chip.

“Success did not come immediately to Powerscourt as he was a late bloomer as a two-year-old,” he continued.

Powerscourt had seven starts as a freshman, starting in the Excelsior A division. It was not until his fifth start where the gelding achieved his first win in 2:02.4. He came back the following week to win in 2:00. From then on, the colt made himself comfortable in the top three. As a three-year-old, he only missed one check.

“His three-year-old year did not get off to an auspicious debut in his first two races at Excelsior A level of the Sire Stakes. In an unconventional move, Powerscourt was moved up to compete in the top-level Sire Stakes in hopes that he would benefit from the faster half mile times that would allow him to take advantage of his strong closing kick,” Chip continued. “And indeed, Powerscourt raised the level of his game and competed successfully against the best trotters New York had to offer, earning a spot in the NYSS Night of Champions. Although Powerscourt went off at odds of 99-1 that night against the 1-9 Gimpanzee, he clearly didn’t look at the tote board as he closed with massive strides to finish third in the field of eight – all of whom sold for considerably more than Powerscourt’s modest $25,000 sale price.”

Powerscourt was awarded the honor of Top Three-Year-Old Trotter at Saratoga Harness in 2019.

“As an older horse, Powerscourt continued to thrive under the McGivern’s care and became a fan favorite with his courageous closing kick,” Chip said. “In 2022, Powerscourt began his six-year-old campaign in fine fashion, winning the Open Trot in February for the first time ever.

“Little did anyone know that just a month later, Powerscourt would be fighting the battle of his life. This time, not against his peers on the track, but against an insidious infection that was odds-on to take Powerscourt’s life,” Chip continued. “But what the infection didn’t know was that Powerscourt had a sizeable following of loyal supporters in his corner, beginning with tireless round-the-clock veterinary care from Steve and Tracy Sedrish.

“Laura Hillenbrand, the best-selling author of “Seabiscuit”, also came to the assistance of Powerscourt as she reached out to her wide circle of equine experts and horse enthusiasts to assist Powerscourt in his uphill recovery. And after spending considerable time at death’s door in April, slowly Powerscourt began to improve with the assistance of ‘Dr. Grass’ – the fresh green snack dutifully gathered by Cheryl from the McGivern farm.”

Due to the severity of the infection, Powerscourt was initially not given much time to live. He refused to eat, but would take the offerings of grass, pulled from the ground and hand fed by Cheryl McGivern. Through time, teamwork, and positive thoughts, he slowly regained his strength and was able to heal.

“Eventually, Powerscourt recovered well enough to begin jogging and then, training. He is now finally able to return to what he loves the most – second only to eating fresh grass – back to racing at Saratoga,” Chip said. “And don’t be surprised to see him back to the winner’s circle soon, miracles do indeed happen.”

And the miracle did in fact happen. On June 4, Powerscourt overcame a first-over trip to win by seven lengths in 1:57.4. The following week, on June 11, the gelding once again maneuvered first-over en route to a 1:57.3 triumph by three-quarters of a length.

“Powerscourt specializes in punching above his weight,” Chip said. “Whether it is taking on all comers in the New York Sire Stakes, challenging the great Gimpanzee on the NYSS Night of Champions, or beating a vicious infection intent on sending him to an early grave. Powerscourt is a blessing, an inspiration, and a miracle – all in the shape of a horse.”

“Pow Pow is a champion warrior,” trainer Cheryl McGivern said. “He stared death in the eye and slayed it. His first time back in the winner’s circle allowed me to exhale the river of tears and prayers my heart has held for 14 months. His second winner’s circle, I welcomed him with kisses of exuberant joy that he has returned to his full strength. I’m so blessed with his daily presence.”

“His first win was very emotional,” driver Mickey McGivern said. “While jogging back from the winner’s circle, tears were streaming down my face. I wasn’t sure he would live, no less return to win. The second win was a thrill to drive him toe-to-toe in a duel from the 5/8ths home. It reminded me once again he has the heart of a champion and loves what he does. I’m blessed to have him in my life.”

by Jessica Hallett, for Saratoga Raceway