AMONG those at Toomebridge on Saturday were Sam Ewing and Dylan Browne McMonagle, leading lights on the pony racing scene.

Sam, son of Templepatrick point-to-point handler Warren, partnered 31 winners this season which saw him finish fourth on The Irish Field national championship table. His 31st success came up in the concluding race of the campaign, a mile maiden at Athea on September 30th, which he won on David Granville’s Dingle Harbour.

Brown McMonagle, who was crowned champion with 77 wins, two of which came at Athea, frustratingly fell one short of matching Emmet McNamara’s seasonal record of 78.

Fifteen-year-old Dylan, who is also a dab hand at boxing, with an Irish boys’ title to his credit, had a busy summer as he spent some time in England with A.P. McCoy and with Jonjo O’Neill.