Carol Ross named Personality of the Year

CAROL Ross, wife of the late Cecil, was lost for words when declared this year’s Anglesey Lodge Personality of the Year Award winner.

Originally from Tallaght in Dublin, Carol (nee Cruise) rode in bumpers before assisting Cecil in breeding and training racehorses in Slanemore, Co Westmeath. After her husband died two years ago, Carol took over the licence and saddled her first winner within a few weeks.

Carol is the long-standing point-to-point secretary of the Westmeath Harriers and, as MC Richard Pugh noted in his citation, Mrs Ross epitomises the volunteer ethos which has kept point-to-point racing alive through good times and bad.

“I’m knocked for six by this,” gasped the winner on receiving a standing ovation. “I do nothing, I just love it,” she said with a grin, while swearing revenge on those who had tricked her into attending. “I was told Barry [Cash, her nephew] was getting an award and I should be here.”