SARAH O’Dwyer MVB MACVs from the Troytown Grey Abbey Veterinary Practice has sent in this image as she is currently on veterinary duty at the Mongol Derby, that soul and body destroying thousand-mile trek across a barren steppe on a succession of wild Mongolian ponies, who will dump you and leave you stranded on the vast plain without hesitation!

Sarah brought some Irish National Stud brochures and merchandise to distribute to some of the local herdsmen. There were no Irish participants this year but the herdsmen seem to be glued to the brochures, no doubt admiring the Irish thoroughbreds.

Clever apprentices

GREAT news from Tipperary that apprentices Andrew Slattery, Ben Coen and Gavin Ryan were all delighted with their Leaving Certificate results. Andrew “got on great,” according to his father and Ben “passed everything, so the mammy’s happy”.

HIDDEN in this week’s Irish Racing Calendar is a notification that Dylan Browne McMonagle has been granted an apprentice jockey licence and is based with Joseph O’Brien. The Donegal teenager rode his 200th winner at Dingle last weekend, so it’s safe to say he is good value for his 10lb claim. Catch up with Dylan’s latest exploits on pages 84-85.