THE Balmoral Show takes place from Wednesday to Saturday next at Balmoral Park and the class of most interest to readers of this column is the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association racehorse to riding horse class which is due to commence at 4pm in the Main Arena on Thursday.

The former four-time British champion jumps jockey Richard Johnson is the ride judge on this occasion with Co Carlow’s Willie Mullins filling the role of conformation judge. Willie and his wife Jackie looked on last year as their son Patrick (ride) and Noel Chance (conformation) selected the former Jessica Harrington-trained Woodland Opera as their champion with the Billy McGladdery-bred 21-year-old Mossbank standing reserve.