THANKS to a Downpatrick racecourse promotion at the one-day event held in Lusks, Knockany the previous Saturday, there were plenty of people from the eventing world at last Friday’s meeting at the Co Down track.

Headed by former Olympian Trevor Smith, who was delighted to meet up with his racing friends, a quartet of riders made the winning presentation to trainer Gordon Elliott following the success of Sean Gallagher’s High Net Worth in the Cheering Rory Handicap Hurdle.

Former top-class northern trainer Brian Lusk made the presentation to connections of Obispo following his easy win in the Ryder Support Beginners Chase.

Brian, who still deals in thoroughbreds as well as sport horses, hadn’t attended a meeting at Downpatrick for many years and was amazed at the transformation of the venue.

Race sponsorship

Former racehorse owner and breeder Paddy Hughes was also at last Friday’s meeting as his Newry-based firm Horse First made its first venture into race sponsorship in the two-mile, seven-furlong hurdle. Another who had been long absent from Downpatrick, Paddy enjoyed his day at the races with others from Horse First, a selection of whose products were made to the winning yard of Pat Doyle.