THE popularity of the Down Royal racehorse to riding horse league is such that it has been extended into three shows down south, one leg being staged at Gorey last Saturday while another was taking place at Saintfield Show in Balmoral Park.

The winner of the open class at the northern venue was the former Willie Mullins-trained Prince De Beauchene, who stood top under Kelsey Graham, while Alison Clancy won at the Co Wexford show with Un Atout, another French-bred former resident at Mullins’ Co Carlow yard.