THERE is one thing that Downpatrick Racecourse manager Richard Lyttle does better than most – and that is throw a good party. Always innovative, he leaves no stone unturned when it comes to putting on a show, and each and every meeting he holds at the Co Down track is a celebration of some sort.

At his last race meeting he had a good representation of eventers and long distance riders present, an obvious target market for racing given their love of equines. He told me this week: “The weather was kind and everyone enjoyed themselves. We also hosted a hospitality event for the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (Northern Region), which was well supported.”