THERE was a huge crowd at the Randox Ulster National racemeeting in Downpatrick last Sunday including many from the world of equestrianism.

While most were up and about throughout the day looking at the horses in the parade-ring, not so show horse exhibitor Hilary Gibson who was more or less confined to the Dunleath Suite as she broke her right leg very badly recently when backing a cob. Happily, she didn’t lack for anything as Mark Morrow attended to her every need.

Sharing their table were show horse producers Jamie Smith and Ryan Anderson plus Ballynahinch couple Shirley and Tommy Moore who, along with daughter Rachel, were enjoying a day at the races before their busy showing season gets under way.

As it is, Rachel has been doing some registered show jumping, particularly with her seven-year-old Mermus R gelding Ballymacbrennan Merdios.

We don’t know if they backed the horse or not, but the equestrian community – and others – were delighted to see I Don’t Get It win the near two-mile, two-furlong handicap hurdle.

The nine-year-old Stowaway gelding runs in the colours of his trainer Neill McCluskey who says he had some nice stock for the young event horse classes this year. I Don’t Get It was led up by Neill’s daughter Robyn who is well-known on the eventing circuit.

Win for Widger

Another trainer who has connections with the sport horse world and had a winner on Saturday was Co Waterford’s Robert Widger who saddled Indie Belle to win the WKD Handicap Chase.

The previous day, Robert was at Barnadown where son Sam won at least three classes while prior to Indie Belle’s success Robert got a call saying that, in his absence, Sam had won the children on horses’ 1.10m Equijump Spring Tour at Maryville.

Also present was SJI judges’ committee member Kata Saunder and Leonard Cave. The latter and his wife Marian never miss this meeting as, in 1946, the Ulster National was won by Caughoo who was owned by Marian’s family, the McDowells, and the horse went on to win the Aintree Grand National the following year.

Among the many others enjoying the day were Balmoral Show’s Vickie White and journalists Bree Rutledge and Ruth Loney plus their respective husbands Paul and Mark.