THERE were two races for members and subscribers of the Ward Union Hunt and the Fingal Harriers at The Folly, Oldtown last Sunday with that over a circuit of the point-to-point track being won by the only lady rider in the line-up, Kildalkey’s Cathy O’Leary.

While she was down to ride Davids Lad, this wasn’t the Yashgan gelding who won the 2001 Irish Grand National for the rider’s brother Tony Martin but rather Martin Smith’s 12-year-old Finbar. Cathy used Tony’s gallop and fences to fine-tune her mount for Sunday’s race while he was also hunted with the Ward by Donagh Meyler to keep him sweet.

Finbar was led up Sunday by Cathy’s husband Kevin with their son Martin, who rode in a handful of point-to-points, and daughter Kim standing in for the post-race photographs. O’Leary, who was presented with the winner’s trophy by Ward Union huntsman Pat Coyle, was delighted with her victory having finished third in the race last year. “My horse has serious scope!” she said.

Cathy does a lot of driving for Tony but has plenty to keep her occupied at home with her own two hunters and her 10-box yard of pre-trainers and breakers which is constantly full. She did, however, have time to hunt Finbar with the Ward at The Snailbox on Wednesday.

Graham Quinn finished second in the jumps’ race but his daughter Dervla went one better in the ladies’ race on the flat which she won in comfortable fashion on the locally-bred Shazzar, one of her father’s hunters.

“It was brilliant, I had a great day!” said veterinary surgeon Dervla who is based close to The Folly at the practice of Peadar O’Scanaill whose wife Susan was supposed to ride but was replaced at a late stage by the couple’s daughter Roisin. “The mare is naturally fast but was trained for the race by Charlie O’Brien in Garristown. We might do the ‘jump one’ next year.” Six-year-old Shazzar is a daughter of the thoroughbred stallion Road To Happiness.

Dervla was presented with her trophy by Connie Quirke, a good friend of Sharon O’Buachalla who is chief executive officer of LeasePlan – the sponsor of both hunt races.

Fingal Farms once again sponsored the day’s best turned-out prizes, the destination of which was decided by Judy Duffy, while TRI Equestrian gave a voucher to all winning riders.