THERE have been a few winners on the track or in point-to-points recently associated with, well-known names in the sport horse sector.

On a very wild, wet afternoon at the East Down Foxhounds’ meeting in Tyrella last Saturday, the older geldings’ maiden was won by the Warren Ewing-trained, Rob James-ridden newcomer Rockportian. The Definite Article six-year-old, who scored by an impressive 15 lengths, was bred near Comber by David Mitchell, coach and former international show jumping buddy of the winner’s owner, Leonard Cave. The pair were at the meeting along with Leonard’s son Michael who combines show jumping with breeding, buying and selling thoroughbreds, both Flat and National Hunt. Michael purchased Rockportian from Mitchell’s Brentford Farm at the 2013 Derby Sale at Tattersalls Ireland with the intention of sending the gelding down the young event horse route. He had plenty of schooling over solid obstacles and competed at training shows before undergoing a career change last September.