Soccer win for ISA team

Sir, - On behalf of the Irish Stablestaff Association soccer team that travelled to Newmarket last weekend, I would like to thank the National Association of Stable Staff (NASS) for a great game and wonderful hospitality shown to us.

We brought the cup home with us, winning 4-1, and we look forward to the English team coming over to play the return match next year. Training for this will start early 2017! Thanks to all involved from the ISA and NASS. - Yours etc.,

ROBBIE DONNELLY,

Captain

ISA soccer team

Get Gordon DVD for Christmas

Sir, Recently I was very lucky to be among the crowd that packed the Excel Theatre in Tipperary to watch a screening of the award winning documentary Against The Odds.

This is the remarkable story of Gordon Lord Byron and his extraordinary journey from unwanted yearling through initial disaster to his triumphant travels round the globe, winning Group 1 contests for the Cahalan family and gathering an ever increasing fan club along the way.

The documentary has been made by Nicholas Ryan Purcell who is himself a remarkable young man.

With the help of Gordon Lord Byron’s trainer Tom Hogan, Nicholas has put together a detailed account of Gordon Lord Byron’s racing career so far. But this is much more than the story of a successful racehorse. It is a very human story which has brought together a number of people from very different backgrounds and has changed the lives of Morgan Cahalan and his family.

Nicholas has a meticulous eye for detail and has left no stone unturned in the production of this documentary. His achievement has been recognised by an award this year from the Hollywood International Independent Awards in California.

Against The Odds has had a number of screenings across the country and has been a sell-out wherever it has been shown. As well as being a highly talented film maker Nicholas is also extremely generous-hearted and grateful to everyone who has helped him along the way. Nicholas has had his own battles and has come to terms with living with Aspergers Syndrome, a story which he intends to be the subject of his next documentary.

A DVD of Against The Odds has been produced and is for sale at €20. Nicholas has very kindly agreed to give 25% of all sales to Irish Injured Jockeys. The DVDs are available from the IIJ website and are a must for every Christmas stocking this year. - Yours etc.,

PETER CURLING

Irish Injured Jockeys