RITA Lyons, who catered for jockeys with tea and snacks in the Punchestown weighroom for many years, was honoured with a race in her name at the track on Monday.

Punchestown’s Shona Dreaper said: “Rita retired before Covid but we never got a chance to properly recognise her contribution before now.

“Rita is a neighbour of Punchestown and has worked at several racecourses in the area, as well as working on our ticket collection desk. In the weighroom she went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure jockeys got the food they liked when they wanted it. Even if you had a fall, Rita made sure you didn’t go home hungry.”

Rita’s husband, Donald, came racing last Monday, his first time in 30 years, and promises to return soon.

The judge on the day was David Maher, who is Rita’s son-in-law. David had the added pressure of calling the result of a close finish to Rita’s race, which was won by Annalecka in a three-way photo.