WHAT a pity there were no spectators at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday as the battling, near all-the-way winner of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, Freewheelin Dylan, is owned and trained locally by two individuals with strong connections to the Ward Union Hunt which has had a lengthy association with the Co Meath track.

The successful 2012 Curtain Time gelding runs in the colours of Garristown’s Sheila Mangan who has been the only female whipper-in with the pack to date, filling that role on an honorary basis for five seasons. She was a member of the Ward Union for roughly 15 seasons, mainly riding potential racehorses and ex-racehorses, while her late father, Tom, was a joint-Master of the hunt.

Sheila no longer rides but works with Freewheelin Dylan’s trainer, Dermot ‘Red’ McLoughlin, looking after the feeding and veterinary regimes at his yard between Ratoath and Curragha where he also keeps the hunter he partners as a member and regular follower of the Wards.

Living legacy

“I was left a small amount of money when my parents died and when Freewheelin Dylan walked into Red’s yard one day, I knew I had to have him. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me and each time he runs, I feel my parents are looking down on us,” said Sheila who had to watch Monday’s race on television.

On Monday, jockey Ricky Doyle and Freewheelin Dylan were escorted back to the parade-ring by Ward Union huntsman Pat Coyle and professional whip Darren Campbell.

The former was mounted on Nico, a hunter owned by Louth Foxhounds joint-Master, and Tattersalls chairman, Edmond Mahony while Darren rode Flash, owned by another Louth joint-Master, staunch Ward Union follower and show horse producer, Kieran Ryan. Both horses, who were on duty on Sunday and Monday, were, as one would expect, beautifully turned-out from the Ryan family’s Cabragh Lodge yard.

There was another connection between the Staghounds and the Co Meath racecourse over the weekend as, through The Underwriting Exchange, Ward Union joint-Master Stephen O’Connor sponsored the Grade 1 novice chase on Sunday and the Grade 2 hurdle on Monday. The Underwriting Exchange’s fellow supporter of the Irish show jumping team, Devenish, sponsored Monday’s Grade 2 chase.

Members and subscribers of the Ward Union are now looking forward to July 24th and 25th when, under whatever restrictions are in place, the hunt will co-host with the landowners and Rolestown Show the annual two-day Tattersalls Ireland July Show.