Irish Ambassador hosts Arc reception

ON October 3rd, to mark the opening of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason hosted a major business event for the Irish-French equestrian sectors at the Irish embassy in Paris, supported by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and Enterprise Ireland.

About 170 people from across the industries gathered for the reception to renew acquaintances and friendships and develop and enhance business links. Guests included the Aga Khan and his daughter Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Bertrand Bélinguier (president of France Galop), Joe Keeling and Brian Kavanagh from HRI as well as many other high profile owners, trainers and breeders.

In her speech, Ambassador Byrne Nason highlighted the fact that approximately 40% of the EU output and 11% of world output of thoroughbreds are produced in Ireland. She went on to describe the economic importance of the industry, reminding the audience that it employs in the region of 14,000 people and has a value of almost €1.1bn per annum.

Keeping on that Road To Riches

ROAD To Riches is likely to feature one way or the other at Down Royal’s big meeting on November 1st following his narrow reverse to Sizing Europe at Gowran Park in the PWC Champion Chase last Saturday.

The Noel Meade-trained Road To Riches is ready to step back up to the top table for the JNwine.com Champion Chase at the Antrim track.

Another option for Meade and owners Gigginstown House Stud for their Galway Plate winner could be on the same card in the Grade 2 Powers Irish Whiskey Chase.

Meade said: “He pulled a shoe off (at Gowran) and was a little bit tender, but he’s come out of the race very well and we are very happy with him.

“The big race at Down Royal is not guaranteed. There’s also a second-season novice race there and we’ll see what the ground is like and what the competition is like before making a decision.”

IT’S that time of year again when all horsemen and women get a chance to show their paces over the best hunting land in Ireland. This year’s Dromin/Athlacca cross-country charity ride will take place on Saturday, October 25th leaving Athlacca at 12.30pm.

Registration will start at 11am and forms are available on the Facebook page, www.drominathlaccacommunityride.com. Entries are €100 for adults and €30 for under 18s. Contact Enda Bolger on 087 2548773, Richard O’Regan on 086 8247326 or Sue Foley on 086 2433917.

This ride has been going for over 30 years and was the first of its kind in Ireland. It was originally the brainchild of Brian McMahon, former European junior show jumping champion. Enda Bolger, National Hunt trainer and former point-to-point champion jockey is another key figure in setting out the course. Tom Griffin and John O’Donoghue set the course and lead the novice and horses and ponies and Happy Hackers route.

It’s a great day out with many of the participants returning year in, year out. There’s always plenty of craic and banter and for many it is the one ride of the year that they simply will not miss. The ride has always been a charity event, having supporting various causes from Crumlin Children’s Fund to the Injured Jockeys Fund and many local community based charities. The committee want to contribute to the local community this year in appreciation of all local landowners supporting the ride.

Last year Bertram Allen was one of the stars of the day and look what’s happened to him!

The ride is on the day before the Athlacca point-to-point so it’s a weekend of horses for the small Limerick village. This year the committee are delighted to have found a date when there is no National Hunt racing on the calendar so they are hoping that Paul Carberry and some of the top jockeys will participate.

Last year’s ride raised €17,000 the proceeds of which, after some small expenses, were divided between two funds, those of J.T. McNamara and Johnny Walsh. Nearly 170 riders took part.

The youngest participant was only six, Natalie O’Rourke, taken around the course by her granny Marion O’Brien on a lead rein and the oldest participant who completed 100% of the main route, he’s been doing the ride forever, was Jack Lambert aged 75!

Another veteran who turns up year after year is John Hyde, who still gives all the young ones a run for their money.