IT was a hectic extended weekend for English trainer Richard Ford who saddled Seamster to win at Laytown and also sent out Reckless Romeo to win at Perth.

Ridden by 7lb-claiming amateur Joanne Walton, the five-year-old Heliostatic gelding was bred near Killyleagh by Eithne Hamilton and is the last of just three recorded produce out of the unraced Spectrum mare Ballerina Babe. The bay had been pulled up on his previous two starts last December.

Between his winners on the racetrack, Lancashire-based Ford competed in the Country Crest road races organised by the Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club around its Killalane circuit. He finished second in two of the classic races, sharing the podium at one stage with Michael Dunlop who went on to win the Grand Final.

As the season concluded on Sunday, Richard finished second in the Irish road racing 1000cc classic bike championship to Ballygawley’s Robert McCrum.