WHILE most of the country’s breeders of point-to-point horses were keeping an eye on the results from the three meetings in Ireland on Sunday, Level 2 Horse Sport Ireland coach Meike Biegel and her daughter Ciara Murphy were more interested in those from the Bicester with Whaddon Chase fixture at Edgcote in England.

There, the final race, the five-runner restricted, was won by the 5/4 favourite Farfromaway, who had landed his maiden at Kimblewick in late February. The five-year-old Jukebox Jury gelding was ridden in both races by Ed Doggrell and is in the care of Francesca Poste, one of the leading point-to-point trainers across the water.

Meike and Ciara, who keep a few thoroughbred broodmares at their Gortmore Stables, bred Farfromaway out of All The Way West (by Westerner), who won over hurdles and was placed four times between the flags. Sunday’s winner is the oldest progeny of the mare and was followed by a 2022 Vadamos gelding, Vadalix, who was third on his only start to date in a Huntingdon bumper for trainer Tom Weston, a 2023 Manatee filly and a 2025 Tosen Stardom colt.

Meike has been busy coaching all winter, but the pace is about to pick up as she is show jumping coach for the Duhallow Branch of the Irish Pony Club, whose Alice Mernagh, Robbie Bailey and John Ledingham teams will be heading to Ballindenisk on Saturday, May 16th for the Area 5 Festival qualifier.