LETTERKENNY’s Rachel Carton had plenty to celebrate at last weekend’s AIRC Festival, although she was in very good humour heading down to Mullingar.

On Thursday, her stepson Oisin Orr rode a winner at Wetherby whlle at Epsom the following day, Ireland’s champion Flat jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, who Rachel taught to ride, recorded his first win in a British Classic when landing the Betfred Oaks on the Joseph O’Brien-trained Frankel filly Thundering On.

On Saturday, Rachel finished fifth in the up to 158cm riding horse class on her 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Aughavannon Merlin (by Redhouse Condor), who put his best hoof forward on Sunday when winning the RC100 speed class over three seconds clear of his nearest rival. This was a third win in a row in this class for the pair and Aughavannon Merlin had a beer to celebrate this success.

The RC110/RC120 speed class was won, with the only clear round, by Mullaghmore’s Katie Creegan on the 16-year-old Annaghmore Ginger mare Holiday Izzy.