LOVE was certainly in the air, for the goodwill that was shown to Westmeath’s finest trainer, Dot Love and her articulate assistant Ciaran Murphy as over 100 people attended their Charlestown Racing stables last Saturday for the HRI trainer open morning. Walking into the yard, you could smell the breakfast cooked for her able team to ensure they were on their toes for the two-hour session that lay ahead. The team were all turned out to perfection just like the 40 horses that were shown on the day.

Dot and Ciaran welcomed everybody and they paraded some of the bumper horses and gave them an assessment.

The guests headed to the gallops and a field that had obstacles such as you would see around a banks race at Punchestown. Ciaran pointed out that Tiger Roll started his Grand National career there. After doing some renovations around the farm, there was an extra mound of clay and the digger man was asked to make a schooling bank. Dot and Ciaran got a shock when they saw it as it was bigger than the Hickstead bank!

The day followed with schooling over fences and loading the flat horses into stalls.

Tommy Ward, who owns Gotthenod, was in great form as his charge had won the previous night in Kilbeggan. Tommy is a loyal owner and loves the way Dot turns her horses out every day and lets them enjoy being a horse.

Verdict on the day was that Dot and Ciaran sold the sport in a simple, effective manner and they deserve full support.