Racing families all around

AS many racehorse owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys have children who are members of their local Branch of the Irish Pony Club, one can usually expect to see people from the world of racing at the Connolly’s Red Mills eventing championships at the hugely popular venue of Tattersalls Ireland.

Somewhat unusually, there was a sighting last weekend of Goffs executive director Nick Nugent whose method of chilling out before the yearling sales season was to mark a cross-country fence as did his wife Alice. The couple’s daughter Lara was a member of the Meath Hawks who finished second, beaten by half a penalty point, in the Junior team competition while she and her pony Mr Beau Beaut also finished second in their arena.

Others with a racing connection who were spotted throughout the Co Meath sales complex were former multiple champion National Hunt jockey turned TV pundit Ruby Walsh and another from the world of TV racing, Brian Gleeson.

Sales consignors Timmy Hillman and Luke Barry were at the Connolly’s Red Mills eventing championships as was Peter Roe, Horse Racing Ireland’s Head of Racing - HRI Racecourses. Peter, who represented Treo Eile at the prize-giving, was present as District Commissioner of the Laois Branch, while his daughter Charlotte was a member of the Branch’s Lucky Stars quartet. They finished fourth in the Intermediate team championship where Charlotte rode the 22-year-old traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horse gelding Silver Brog (by Puissance).If you blinked you missed seeing former trainer, and former international event rider, Dot Love speeding around the cross-country course on a bike.

We’re sure there were a lot more trainers present as we haven’t mentioned anyone from Co Wexford though they could have been relaxing in the sectioned-off, with purple and gold bunting, area of the lorrypark for those from the Model County!

Riding Sandy Banks, the individual Junior championship was won by Offaly’s Saoirse Carty (pictured) whose parents, Michael and Ciara, own Kilmoney Cottage Stud, vendors and purchasers at the sales.

On hand to assist his daughter Charlotte was James Carroll who can often be found at the sales when his uncle, the well-known breeder James Hanly, is selling. Just days before the championships, the Hanly-bred Ombudsman won the Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) at York.