BEST wishes for a speedy recovery to Dylan Browne McMonagle, the latest news of whom appears on page 5.

The reigning champion flat jockey had a very mixed week, riding five winners from eight rides at the Curragh last Saturday and one from two in Deauville on Sunday before his fall at Bellewstown on Tuesday.

Also on the level at home, there was a win for Luke McAteer at Killarney last Friday when, on the same day but at Kilbeggan, Dara McGill landed the bumper. Across the water, there were single wins at Lingfield on Thursday last and on Saturday for Patsy Cosgrave with Oisin Orr being on the mark at Musselburgh on Monday.

On the training front, the ever-adventurous Noel Kelly saddled the All Play & No Work Syndicate’s Nakassama to win over a mile and three at Hamilton last Friday. On the breeding front that day, the three-mile, two-furlong handicap chase at Kilbeggan was won by the John Yarr-bred 10-year-old gelding A Wave Of The Sea (Born To Sea - Je T’Adore, by Montjeu.

On the ownership front, there were wins for Philip Polly and Michael Dorman’s 7/4 favourite Ben Hur at Leopardstown last Thursday week, for Peter FitzGerald’s La Cote Fleurie at Kilbeggan the following evening and, at the Curragh on Saturday, for Mark Devlin, Joe Mackle and the Skylark Syndicate’s top weight Clonmacash.

RACEHORSE owner Conor McKenna had a great game last Friday for the Brisbane Lions, scoring four goals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground including a spectacular Gaelic-style six-pointer.

You will need to be up early to catch the team’s match against the Sydney Swans next Saturday as it’s due to start at 6.15am GMT.

LIKE so many others, I was saddened to learn of the death this week of leading show horse producer Dessie Gibson who, when not rushing around as was very much his wont, was always happy to chat and exchange views on all matters equestrian.

A one-time joint-Master of the now sadly defunct Co Down Staghounds, Dessie maintained his links with hunting throughout his life.

Back in the days of the Staghounds’ popular point-to-points in Loughbrickland, he would spend the days before the meetings preparing the course and then undertake any role he was asked to on the day. See page 75 of the Irish Horse World.

HOPEFULLY racegoers will have funds left from last evening’s meeting at Down Royal to invest with the bookmakers on Monday at Downpatrick where there are four hurdle races and three chases on the card.

We learned during the week the identity of those of choosing the ‘Most Appropriately Dressed Lady’ and ‘Best Dressed Gentleman’ on Ladies’ Day.

The quartet comprises Pamela Ballantine MBE and Faith Amond plus Matthew and Laura MacNabb.

Racegoers who are parents of Pony Club children are probably running out of energy but can take solace in the fact that inter-Branch action in Area 17 concludes today with the home championships at Laurelview so they can relax a bit at the races.

THIRTEEN thoroughbred horses are due to compete at the Eventing Ireland Northern Region one-day event in Loughanmore today.

Included among them is the former Stuart Crawford-trained Woodbury Tampa, an 11-year-old Born To Sea gelding who ran at the venue as a four-year-old.

Should you, as an owner or handler, wish to see your pointer run at Loughanmore on October 17th or, before then at Portrush on October 10th or before then when the 2026/27 season opens at Toomebridge on October 3rd, you need to make sure that hunter certs are lodged at the offices of the IHRB in plenty of time.

YES, it’s very early to be mentioning you know what but our good friend Joan Cunningham has been in touch to ask us to ask you to take note that the 20th anniversary of the Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride will take place on Saturday, December 5th.

“Our very first ride took place in 2007 with the simple but heartfelt aim of raising funds for Ugandan orphans through Rock Ministries Northern Ireland Trust. Many of these children had lost one or both parents to AIDS and were living in extremely difficult circumstances. Thanks to the generosity, kindness and unwavering support of so many people, countless young lives have been transformed.

Generosity of everyone

“For many years we proudly continued to support Rock Ministries Northern Ireland Trust until its dedicated trustees, Phyllis and Ian Hasson, retired. Along the way, many other charities and worthy causes have benefitted from the generosity of everyone involved in the Ride.

“Visiting Uganda in July 2026 was an experience I will never forget. Meeting the children, families and communities personally, sharing in their warmth and hospitality, and seeing both their challenges and hopes for the future touched me deeply. I returned home more determined than ever to continue supporting projects that bring lasting hope and opportunity to communities in Uganda.”