THIRTY years ago, the Muskerrys’ meeting at Aghabullogue attracted a small entry with just 37 horses coming under starter’s orders on Sunday, January 10th, 1988. The heavy ground took its toll as only 17 of the runners completed.

No rider partnered more than one winner, Pat Healy coming closest when landing the opening four and five-year-old maiden on Lord Mustard and finishing second with Leixlip Lass (adjacent winners of two) and Dromore Lass (mares’ maiden).

Ten years and a day later in 1998, racing opened with a divided five and six-year-old mares’ maiden in which both winners Sallymeadows (Dermot Costello) and Grange Pine (David Keane) made all as did the Enda Bolger-partnered Tearaway King in the open. Again the going was heavy and in the concluding adjacent maiden, won by the Noel Fehily-ridden Another Lafontaine, the number of jumping efforts was reduced by three.

On Saturday, January 19th, 2008, Mikey O’Connor started off the day by partnering Lalibela into second place in the opening five and six-year-old mares’ maiden behind the Richie Harding-ridden Chestnut Rose. He then won both divisions of the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden on Annaghbridge and Inchidaly Rock before landing the open on Takeyourpick who was trained for the late Niall Connolly by Gerry Cully.