THE name Watson has been closely linked with winners over the years at Down Royal so it was fitting that the only Northern-trained winner at Wednesday’s Boxing Day meeting, the final fixture to be run there by the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders, was sent out by Keith Watson.

Keith’s late uncle, the legendary Archie Watson, enjoyed many successes at The Maze and his connection with the track was further strengthened by the fact that he trained for Kelso Stewart, one-time owner of the racecourse, as did Keith himself.