WELL done to all 13 riders in last Friday’s Corinthian Challenge at the Curragh, each one having raised a minimum of €3,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys, and some raised a lot more.

Passing the post in front was equine veterinary surgeon Robin de Pelsmaeker who had the honour of partnering the prolific San Andreas in what was his final race.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien, the 10-year-old gelding won 11 of his 73 lifetime starts, and was a great schoolmaster over the years for apprentices such as Hugh Horgan, Alan Persse, Jake Coen, Conor Stone-Walsh, Wayne Hassett, Shay Wallace and Julian Pietropaolo. Dylan Browne McMonagle rode San Andreas five times and never won on him, so that’s something Robin can boast about!

Elliott shines

Gordon Elliott is a great supporter of these races and supplied the second and third last Friday. The Mediator ridden by Tara Moneypenny and Wackestone, who gave Paul Callaghan of The Irish Field a great spin.