ROBERT Fagan from Mullingar Equestrian was at Kilbeggan races on Monday when he sponsored the opening Forever Equestrian Clothing and Tack Store Novice Hurdle. The race was won by the Gordon Elliott-trained joint-favourite Santana Plessis, pictured to the right with his groom Hannah Wafer.

Robert is thrilled with the level of business at the shop which is based at the equestrian centre, he told The Irish Field editor Leo Powell when they caught up at the races. The shop is closed on Mondays but Robert was unable to be joined at the races by the shop’s manager Vincent Holien. A well-known figure in both the sport horse and thoroughbred sectors, Vincent has been in situ since June. Robert was also pleased to be able to support his local racecourse, which is run by his great friend Paddy Dunican.