MANY congratulations to Co Meath’s Keith Donoghue and Gavin Cromwell who, on Sunday, combined to land the famous Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic with the Furze Bush Syndicate’s Stumptown.

The eight-year-old cross-country race specialist by Laverock, who was recording his eighth track success, thus became the first Irish-trained winner of the historic four and a half-mile chase, which has Listed status.

Keith credits his cross-country riding skills and ‘stickability’ down to his many, many days hunting with the Ward Union Staghounds of which he is a member and with whom he hunts as often as he can. Gavin used to hunt a lot with the same pack but, as his Balrath yard has become bigger and more successful, he leaves the hunting to his wife Kiva plus sons Jake and Cameron.

Kiva accompanied Gavin to the Czech Republic at the weekend, but none of Keith’s family did. His parents Michael and Trisha watched the race on TV at home, which was probably just as well given Trisha’s reaction when her son had to survive two very hairy moments during the race. “They’d have you grey!” was one of her comments.