“I REALLY didn’t expect to win,” commented a delighted Rebecca Rafter after claiming the ladies’ side saddle on Thursday afternoon.

Initially pulled in third in a field of 14 in front of judges Michaela Bowling (ride) and Jenny Banks (conformation), she was then promoted to the top of the line with the six-year-old gelding Cal Master De Muze.

Topping off a great show in second was the lovely mare Ballarin For Joy with Ciara Mullen riding for her mother Rufina.

A six-year-old gelding by the 1.60m show jumping sire Pollux De Muze Z, the winner is out of the Master Imp mare April Eanier and was bred in Co Cavan by Peter Lynch.

“My partner Brien whose name he is in, actually sourced him from a fellow jockey Ian Donoghue. He was broken late and Brien actually hunted him with the Fingals all winter. He is such a pleasant horse and we’ll maybe aim him at working hunters next year,” commented Rafter who was lamenting the recent retirement of her multiple winner Roanwood Mick Dundee. “He has been to Dublin before too but picked up an injury so he’s now retired to the field,” added Rafter who has worked at Gavin Cromwell’s for the past three years but is soon moving away from racing and taking a new career within the equine industry.

Ciara Mullen topped the intermediate side saddle, this time with her 2022 riding horse champion Chantilly On The Rocks. Second went to Kate Horgan on Jane Dalrymple’s Kinamara Laura.

Now owned by John Hagan for his daughter Aoife, the five-year-old winning mare was sent back to Mullen’s yard two weeks before Dublin so Ciara could have the ride. “I am very grateful to the Hagans for letting me ride her again and wish them all the best with her in the future,” Ciara concluded.

Chantilly On The Rocks is by the KWPN stallion Guinness and bred in Co Galway by John Healy. She is out of a mare by Hector Van D’Abdihjoeve, a stallion that was ridden to much success internationally by Bertram Allen and Denis Lynch.