WITH so much focus on trainers and jockeys, we must not forget the stable staff who travel the country on a weekly basis with the horses we enjoy watching. Four such women who have been involved in pointing for a number of years are Diane Arthurs, Joy Wilson, Seaninin Mahon and Philippa Baird.

Diane Arthurs works for her brother-in-law Ian Ferguson and has been involved in racing “for at least 25 years!”

She rides out three or four lots each day and has enjoyed many great days in racing. However, two stand out in her mind. The first of these was when she won the ladies’ bumper on Mirasel at the Down Royal Christmas meeting in 1991. This was a red letter day for the stable as Captains Bar and Glenshane Lad completed the treble.

Diane’s second highlight is when Zemsky won the Cheltenham Foxhunters in 2011. Diane continues to be a valuable member of the Ferguson team and she nominated the grey gelding Frost as one to follow. Diane’s husband Rodney rode approximately 50 point-to-point winners and he produced a nice horse in Sunny West to win the older horses’ maiden at Kirkistown last weekend.

Joy Wilson has been associated with the Newry stable of Liam Lennon for over 28 years. She still presents her horses at the races to a very high level and has won numerous turn-out prizes. Joy was brought up with horses and rode ponies and horses at all levels. On her school holidays she worked with Sonia Duke’s event horses.

While Joy has enjoyed many good days in racing, the one that stands out more than any other was Tammys Hill winning last year’s Cheltenham Foxhunters.

Seaninin Mahon has worked in Colin McBratney’s yard for over five years. What a day Carsonstown Boy gave his supporters when runner-up at Cheltenham last year. Seaninin is a bit of a party animal, so Lord only knows what may have happened should he have won!

Philippa Baird has been involved in racing for over 15 years and is very well known in racing. She began riding out for her uncle Jeremy Maxwell at a young age. Philippa spent a year with Jonjo O’Neill and, for the last five years, she has been a very important member of staff with Brian Hamilton.

Philippa’s best day in racing was Warne’s win in last year’s Aintree Fox Hunters. However, this may have recently been eclipsed when champion jockey A.P. McCoy announced his impending retirement after winning on Mr Mole, a horse bred by Philippa and her late mother Nicola.

Maybe it’s time a stable staff award was added to the end-of-season point-to-point party.