MANY congratulations to Sarah Stewart and Neil Sinclair who were married in the sunken garden at Castleward last Saturday, with their reception being held at Downpatrick Racecourse.

Sarah is daughter of racecourse chairman Peter Stewart and his wife Patricia and a surprise guest at the reception was The Devils Bit who is also closely tied to the track as he belongs to the Turley family who farm in the centre of the racecourse.

The bay gelding appeared in a new Horseware sheet on which was printed ‘Downpatrick Racecourse 1 August 2015 The Wedding Stakes.

Congratulations to Neil & Sarah Sinclair’.

Busy weekend

It was a busy weekend for The Devils Bit as, in addition to his wedding duties, he was at Tattersalls Ireland last Sunday when he was ridden by Andrew Turley in the ride phase of the Irish Pony Club Tetrathlon championships.

Along with Toni Quail, Chloe Rooney and Harriet Pele, Andrew is competing in the Open class at The Pony Club event championships at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire later this month.

Expect news soon from Downpatrick regarding a brilliant prize for Ladies’ Day, on Monday, August 31st, when there will also be a new and separate competition for ladies’ hair style sponsored by Magners. Tomorrow’s meeting at the track is themed Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer, so let’s hope summer returns.