THIS year’s guest at the Irish Shows Association yearbook launch proved another good choice as Andrew Doyle, Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture entertained his audience with stories.

One included his half-Japanese nephew’s fascination with the livestock entries at Tinahely Show, while there was another Japanese link to a former FEHL champion.

The Wicklow TD’s family have bred horses for generations and his mother Maureen bred a Crosstown Dancer colt out of their Balboa mare, Avon Belle.

“That fellow was born when the World Cup was on, I had a brother in Japan and three brothers were over when we drew 1-1 with Germany.

“The foal was born that day so we named him Ibaraki after the stadium where Ireland were playing in!”

Later renamed All The Aces, the John Keane-owned four-year-old won the 2006 FEHL final at Dublin with Clare Lambert on board.

The 148 show jumping pony Lickeen Lad, that competed in the European Championship at Hickstead with British rider Lesley Brown was another past success story associated with the Wicklow family.