WHILE Helen Bond no longer has a horse in training, she still takes a keen interest in the sport and in supporting events for former racehorses.

I met up with her last Saturday at the Tattersalls International Horse Trials where the 15-year-old Snurge gelding Ballycarron Lad, who carried Helen’s colours to victory in two point-to-points and a handicap chase when trained by Stuart Crawford, finished third in the CNCJ1* class under Newtownards’ Izzy Riley. Helen reported that the 19-year-old Zaffaran mare Oh Jackie, who had a similar racing career to Ballycarron Lad, recently produced a filly foal by Doyen. Bond no longer owns the mare but still likes to maintain an interest in her.