CURRAGH trainer Michael Grassick could hardly have advertised his HRI open morning any more astutely than when sending out his admirable stable stalwart Verhoyen to notch a sixth career success at the Curragh a day beforehand.

Fresh from the popular local winner, a crowd of almost 100 people visited his Fenpark House base in Pollardstown, and Grassick was enthused by the response to his offering.

The dual listed-winning trainer, who has held a licence since 2013, also got on the scoresheet earlier in the week when Blue Peak obliged at Roscommon.

“We had close to 100 people come to the yard, so thankfully we had a great turnout for our morning in the middle of Irish Guineas weekend,” said Grassick.

“The lovely weather was a help and I think people enjoyed getting to see our facilities and team. It was also nice to have Joanna McGrath’s Beanery coffee van with us for the morning too.”

Leading jockey Billy Lee was on hand to give a race-riding demonstration on a mechanical horse, and Grassick believes the chance for people to get up close to the sport’s players - both equine and human - is a positive for the industry.

“It’s the first time we’ve done an open morning in conjunction with HRI, though we did do one before with the Curragh Thoroughbred Trails,” he said.

“I think it’s been a positive development and even for people to get to see just how well treated our horses are has to be a good thing for the industry. We know they are well looked after and it’s nice they get to see that first hand too.

“Some people just enjoyed getting a look behind the scenes at the yard but there also seems to be a bit of interest from others with a view to ownership options. We’ve had a few inquiries and so on about small shares in horses and you never know what might come of an initiative like this.”