THERE have been a few winners on the track or in point-to-points recently associated with, well-known names in the sport horse sector.

On a very wild, wet afternoon at the East Down Foxhounds’ meeting in Tyrella last Saturday, the older geldings’ maiden was won by the Warren Ewing-trained, Rob James-ridden newcomer Rockportian. The Definite Article six-year-old, who scored by an impressive 15 lengths, was bred near Comber by David Mitchell, coach and former international show jumping buddy of the winner’s owner, Leonard Cave. The pair were at the meeting along with Leonard’s son Michael who combines show jumping with breeding, buying and selling thoroughbreds, both Flat and National Hunt. Michael purchased Rockportian from Mitchell’s Brentford Farm at the 2013 Derby Sale at Tattersalls Ireland with the intention of sending the gelding down the young event horse route. He had plenty of schooling over solid obstacles and competed at training shows before undergoing a career change last September.

“We decided to go racing instead and as we have good hills, excellent jumping and flat facilities, did all the pre-training work with him ourselves at Ballyalton House,” said Cave senior. “However, we don’t have an all-weather gallop so, a few weeks ago, we sent the horse to Warren, who is a good friend of Michael’s, so he could learn to gallop and jump in company.

“Rockportian is on the market and could well go to the upcoming sale at Cheltenham. However, he won’t be given away and we could run him on ourselves. He’s the only horse we have for point-to-pointing at present but Michael has some nice young horses for either Goffs’ Land Rover or the Derby Sale and has been buying recently in France.”

On Saturday, Rockportian ran in the livery of Caughoo, winner of the 1947 Aintree Grand National. These are the McDowell family colours of Leonard’s wife Marian who didn’t travel to Tyrella on Saturday.

“Marian is too nervous to watch our horses race so stayed at home to look after things there,” revealed Cave senior. In addition to their show jumping activities, Marian and Leonard went eventing a few times last year to support their Stuart Crawford-bred Mermus R gelding Second City. Ridden first by Gwen Scott and then Colin Halliday, the now six-year-old was sold over the winter to Michelle Kenny and Rafael Sanctuary of River Lodge Eventing in Wexford.