AS it was the last league decided on the day at Wexford Equestrian, there was no need for Aria Codd to miss any school time last Tuesday, April 23rd, before presenting the cup in memory of her late father William to Patrick Whelan, winner of the novice thoroughbred league on his own and Julie Radden’s Galileo Secret.

The unraced six-year-old Galileo stallion, who also won the overall Treo Eile-sponsored league, impressed Aria’s mother with his temperament. “He just stood there and never moved,” said Louise Codd, who had competed in the Stepping Stones to Success league the previous Wednesday but gave Tuesday’s finals day a miss. “Aria, who’s six, just loves making this presentation and gets all excited about it each year.”