AMONG those who attended the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association seminar on the challenges facing the National Hunt industry at Tattersalls on Monday were Peter and Ann Downes of Russellstown Stud.

The Westmeath couple were decidedly pleased to be sitting down and out of the wind and rain having been thoroughly drenched and windblown on their first visit to Tyrella last Saturday for the East Down Foxhounds’ February point-to-point.