THERE were massive crowds at Newbridge House last weekend for the Flavours of Fingal Show and the show jumping ring attracted plenty of spectators over the two days.

Among them were Catherine Doyle, wife of Edward Doyle and mother of Edward Junior who were both competing, and her brother, Goffs auctioneer and bloodstock management team member Andrew Nolan.

While watching the start of the 1.35m Mervue Leinster Grand Prix on Saturday, Andrew had his attention on the day job as well as he listened to the commentary on the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

Another from the thoroughbred world enjoying the show on Saturday was Jane Hedley, racing and operations manager at Leopardstown racecourse, who was accompanied, as ever, by her dog Gus (officially named Angus). Jane was pressed into service during the afternoon’s coloured horse class as groom for Kildangan Bellatrix whose owner, bloodstock agent Cathy Grassick, recently took over as chairman of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Jane’s duties on Saturday included jogging up the mare in front of conformation judge Shane McKenna as rider, Emily MacMahon, had “broken down badly on a charity run” and was barely able to walk. She was however able to ride as judge in the morning’s ladies’ side saddle class which was won by Gavin Cromwell employee Rebecca Rafter on Roanwood Mick Dundee.

As a sales consignor, Emily will be hoping that she won’t be long on box rest as, through Lambertstown Stud, she has a couple of yearlings to sell in the autumn.