NOT having met up with Ann Ferris for some time now, it was great to see her feature on RTÉ news bulletins this week as she reflected on her own historic achievements in the saddle which paved the way for Rachael Blackmore and others.

Ann was champion point-to-point rider in 1976 and, three years later at Leopardstown, recorded a memorable success in what is now the Ladbroke Hurdle on the Arthur Moore-trained Irian. In 1984, she conquered new heights when winning the Irish Grand National on Bentom Boy who was trained by her father, Willie.

Now 80 years of age, Ann was interviewed at her home near Newry, alongside her daughter Gaye and step-grandson Tom Hannan. Described by RTÉ as “a rider who blazed a trail for a previous generation”, Ann said: “Rachael is a very good rider. She has a great racing brain and she deserves all she has done.”

Looking back on her own special day at Fairyhouse, she said: “My father had two horses in the race – my sister (the late Rosemary) finished third.

“I was quite confident he would win. He was a good jumper and I was happy to win it.”

Ann clearly stays in touch with racing as she was filmed reading The Irish Field!

Big success for Small’s breeding

THERE were some good results for Northern National Hunt breeders over the past week with two winners at Punchestown on Tuesday – both trained in Co Wicklow by Philip Rothwell.

The Festival opener, the Have The Conversation Say Yes To Organ Donation Novice Handicap Hurdle fell to the 25/1 shot Cousin Harry who was bred in Ardboe by Francis Small.

This seven-year-old Resplendent Cee gelding, who was recording his second success from 23 starts, is out of the four-time-winning Red Nose Lady. That Teenoso mare’s only other successful offspring is the great Unowhatimeanharry (by Sir Harry Lewis).

The double came up in the equally as wordy Kildare Hunt Club Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup. Here, Singing Banjo put up a brilliant display over the banks course as he recorded his first track success to go with two in point-to-points.

An 11-year-old by Generous, Singing Banjo was bred by Downpatrick’s Joe Cunningham out of the French-bred Mister Mat mare Mille Fleurs

Other first-time track winners include the six-year-old September Storm gelding Shortcross Storm who got off the mark at Exeter last Thursday week in the novices’ handicap hurdle.

The bay was bred by Neville Reid out of the unraced Taipan mare Lady Leila. Also, Shaws Bridge who landed a division of the novices’ handicap hurdle at Perth on Friday.

This eight-year-old Kalanisi gelding was bred by Jane Buchanan and, being out of the four-time-winning hurdler Zaffarella, he is a sibling of Windsor Avenue, Ravenhill Road and Malone Road; a three-year-old half-brother by Court Cave is being consigned by Beechmount Farm to this year’s Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.

Notable achievements on the flat this week saw Dylan Browne McMonagle record a first group win at Navan on Sunday while the in-form Patsy Cosgrave landed a treble at Brighton.

Down Royal sponsors

IT’s great to see companies continue to sponsor races despite the action taking place behind closed doors with Monday’s Bank Holiday fixture at Down Royal being supported by BoyleSports.

Trainers are obviously anxious to get horses out before the ground gets too hard as, at time of writing, 109 entries were made for the opening opportunity maiden hurdle while 114 were listed in the following handicap hurdle over the same distance of two miles, half a furlong.

Downpatrick hosts an afternoon fixture next Friday, May 7th.