FACES from the racing world were everywhere at the Dublin Horse Show last week.

It’s not unusual to see trainers, jockeys, owners and bloodstock agents in circulation at the RDS, but it was still a surprise to see Dan Skelton racing through the Exhibition Hall early on Saturday morning.

He was there to judge the ITM Racehorse to Riding Horse class, and he was joined by his brother Harry, who rode all the contenders before giving the red rosette to A Plus Tard. Among those watching closely from the sidelines were the former Gold Cup winner’s trainer Henry de Bromhead, his wife Heather, and Johnny Ferguson, who led up A Plus Tard that famous day in Cheltenham.

Jane Mangan (RTÉ Racing) and Bernard Condren (Goffs) shared commentary duties.

Also taking a keen interest in proceedings last Saturday was Willie Mullins, who had previously trained a couple of the 17 contenders. We presume the Skeltons are sick of seeing Mullins horses win big prizes, but still did not show any bias aginst Mr Adjudicator and Briar Hill!

Rachael Blackmore was reunited with the winner on Sunday for a demonstration. Rachael came into racing via the Irish Pony Society, as did professional flat jockey James Ryan who last week was competing in a working hunter class. Both of his parents - Kieran and Mairead - rode internationally for Ireland.

Spotted taking part in the show hunter classes were Ger Hannon (sales consignor, Tattersalls Ireland agent) and jockey Rory Cleary (in a heavyweight class).

The list of racing folk we saw during the week in Dublin is endless and includes Jody Townend (jumping amateurs), Jennifer Walsh, Colin Bowe, Sean Farmer Doyle, Mick Murphy, Tom Malone, Gordon Elliott, Eddie O’Leary (whose daughter was riding) and Alan Fleming (whose daughter was competing).

Thomas Coyle had a winner at Sligo on Thursday and his partner Philippa Scott showed Frenchfort Kildysart Lady to win the supreme youngstock title on Friday.

Gary Bannon, assistant to trainer Bill Durkan, had a winner at Sligo on the Monday and then they hotfooted it to the RDS, where Bill had grandchildren and great-grandchildren competing at the show.

Ado McGuinness was there to see one of his nieces jumping and, in the pony section, Aoibhinn Ruane (who made her real racing debut at Tipperary last week) and Conor Cusack were in action.