CONGRATULATIONS to Fiona Dowling of RACE on her recent marriage to John Joe Butler. The wedding took place at Timoleague Church in West Cork, followed by a reception at Dunmore House Hotel.

Fiona is the programme development and quality manager at the Racing Academy. The Kerry woman has had a wonderful career in racing, which has included bringing the 2007 Grand National winner Silver Birch to Aintree and working in top yards in Britain, America and Australia.

She is also an award-winning graduate of the Irish National Stud, has completed an MBA in the University of Liverpool and lectured in Hartpury University. Did we mention she rode a winner in the Corinthian Challenge too?

John Joe is a dairy farmer with a keen interest in National Hunt breeding and keeps a few horses. He also assists his brother, Padraig, a restricted National Hunt trainer. John Joe has landed a big winner in Fiona.