CHRIS and Carol Harris are no strangers to Ireland or Irish racing. Chris is the mastermind behind the hugely successful Kildare Outlet Village and he has endured a love affair with horses for many more years than he might wish to remember. He and Carol run The Old Rectory Stud at their home in the exotically named Britwell Salome in Oxfordshire.

It was a thrill to see the couple enjoy success in the Listed Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with Katie Too. The five-year-old daughter of champion National Hunt sire Kings’ Theatre is trained by the couple’s friend Alan King and he revealed that the mare would stay in training next season as “there’s a very good mares’ programme these days”.