THIS is the fourth year of the study tour of a group of Japanese work riders, jockeys and assistant trainers to Ireland. There are 14 in this year’s group which arrived into Ireland last Monday with a planned stay of six days.

Day one included a morning on the gallops with Joseph O’Brien at his Owning Hill base where he was assisted by his National Hunt jockey J.J. Slevin. The group got an excellent insight into Joseph’s training regime and how relaxed the whole operation is.

This was followed by a tour of Coolmore conducted by Jason Walsh which included all aspects of the stud’s operation along with its grassland management regime.The highlight was, without doubt, seeing Galileo but they were also thrilled to see the son of Japanese sire Deep Impact, Saxon Warrior.

Kildare trainers

Wednesday through to today the visitors were split into four groups where they spent the mornings riding out with Kildare trainers John Oxx, Dermot Weld, Johnny Murtagh and Michael Halford. They went racing in Leopardstown on Thursday where they were entertained by Pat Keogh and the Curragh yesterday where they were hosted by Derek McGrath.

The other highlight of the trip was the night in the Hanged Man’s Restaurant where they were hosted by Jeremy Greene and Charles O’Neill of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.

ITM coordiantes and plans the entire trip working closely with the Japanese Racing Authority.

Tune in to Smullen

THIS Monday, June 10th, Nationwide visits Pat Smullen on his farm in Co Offaly. Mary Fanning talks to the nine-time champion jockey about his plans for the future following his retirement from competitive race riding.

Pat discusses his cancer treatment, his journalistic endeavours and his plans for the future.

He and his wife, Frances Crowley, show Mary their Harzand filly and Pat reminisces about the Dermot Weld-trained dual Derby winner. He also speaks about jockeys’ weights and the need to address issues raised by the extensive research conducted by former chief medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick.

Young Beeby showing her skills

BEST of luck to Sally Beeby, daughter of Goffs boss Henry, who has just opened a personal trainer service in Dublin. The 22-year-old business graduate is putting clients through their paces in the Capel Fitness gym at the Capel Building in Capel Street.

Her proud dad said: “Sally is very committed, qualified and a good communicator. She’s going at this full-tilt and she already has some racing people as clients.”