MANY congratulations to former Kildare Pony Club member Max Browne who recorded his first success on the racecourse at Naas on Sunday when the Paul Nolan-trained Latest Exhibition ran out the four-length winner of the concluding bumper.

Max, who participated in all Pony Club activities, will be best remembered riding the appaloosa stallion Bravo Bruce who he also competed in open hunter trials and hunted as often as he could. While still at school, the now 19-year-old was apprenticed to John Oxx, who gave him a couple of rides on the flat, but he was always destined for a National Hunt career and, on leaving school, joined the Co Meath yard of Gordon Elliott who gave him some rides over jumps.

He left there after last year’s Punchestown Festival and, following a summer riding out for Curragh trainer Ken Condon, he is now attached to the Tu Va Stables of Noel Meade who has provided him with 10 rides, all but one being over hurdles.

Back in May 2015, at the Meath Hunt and Tara Harriers’ point-to-point in the centre of Fairyhouse racecourse, Max and his younger brother Liam won both Pony Club races for the Kildare Branch. Liam, who is still at school, has recently become apprenticed to Michael Halford and, as his sons have moved on from ponies, their father Martin is also riding out at the Halford yard. The lads’ mother Hilda competes as a member of Cill Dara Riding Club.

Max wasn’t booked to partner Latest Exhibition on Sunday and, in fact, wasn’t even at the meeting. Fortunately, he was at home in Kildare for the day so, when contacted by his agent, Ciaran O’Toole, was able to take the mount. The Oscar gelding, who is now being talked about as a Cheltenham bumper prospect, was due to be ridden by former Killinick Pony Club member Sean O’Keeffe who broke his collarbone when Gracious Gamble was brought down in the second of the maiden hurdles.