AS readers can tell from the packed pages of the paper, there is no shortage of happenings in the world of the horse. Watching racing from Cheltenham as we headed to press yesterday evening is a reminder that the National Hunt season is gearing up.

Next weekend the Grade 1 chase at Down Royal, sponsored since its inception by Jim Nicholson and his wine business, will be the 20th running of the race, and sadly the last sponsored by its current supporter. The race has been won by some of the best chasers of the last two decades, notably Florida Pearl, Beef Or Salmon, Kauto Star and Kicking King.

Champions’ raceday at Ascot last Saturday was a spectacular success and the curtain is falling on the turf season in Britain and Ireland, with Naas set to honour the flat champions next weekend. As if all that was not enough, the Breeders’ Cup will be staged at Churchill Downs, while days later the race that stops a nation, the Melbourne Cup, will feature a strong European challenge.

The nursery for many of the best National Hunt horses is the point-to-point sphere and this Sunday sees one of the most innovative meetings of the season staged at Dowth. If you have a chance to visit this historic site and venue, please do. You will experience a point-to-point like no other in Ireland. Artisan food, world class chefs, local produce, shopping, a dog show, fun and games are all provided alongside great racing. This is a day not to be missed.

A few days away from the desk saw a plethora of sale catalogues awaiting my return. Buyers will have lots of choice this autumn and all the sales companies are extolling the quality of their particular catalogues. In an era when global bloodstock production is stalled or falling (see Breeding Insights, pg 26), we are still growing our foal numbers at home. The adage that quality will always have a market will hopefully be the case, and the first test of this will be next weekend in Kentucky.

On a more personal note, I was sorry to learn that the Kill Equestrian Centre is set to be demolished. Three equestrian arenas, American barn, extensive horse-walker and more are among the structures set to go if permission is granted. It is sad to see the demise of this once world-class facility, one that has a great amount of history attached to it. Future plans for the site are not known presently.