NATIONAL Hunt jockey Barry Geraghty (40) announced his retirement from the saddle over the weekend and while his many exploits on the racecourse have been covered elsewhere in this paper, here we recall his early days in Irish Pony Club activities.

During that time, Barry was a member of the dominant Meath Branch games team; he qualified for the Windsor squad but didn’t get to travel as he ‘smashed’ his knee at the final training session.

He also did a lot of Pony Club show jumping and hunter trials – in fact, Barry took part in any IPC activity where he could be on a team with his brothers Ross and Norman.

Emmet’s Derby win

Among other former IPC members who have made news in the world of racing recently is ex-Co Limerick Branch member Emmet McNamara.

On his first ride in the world-famous race, Emmet landed the Investec Derby at Epsom on Serpentine whose record-making trainer, Aidan O’Brien, was once a member of the Wexford Branch.

The following day, Aidan’s son Donnacha, who was twice champion jockey in Ireland, sent out Fancy Blue to win the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at ParisLongchamp in his first year as a trainer. Like others in his family, Donnacha was a member of the Tipperary Branch of the IPC.