CALEDON trainer Andy Oliver is holding an open morning at his Stragrane House yard on Sunday next, September 3rd from 11am to 1pm. The event is free to attend but pre-registration is required. See www.racehorseownership.ie/openmorning

WHILE on holiday in Canada recently (yes, my only nephew got married DURING HORSE SHOW WEEK!), I kept an eye on the racing results and was particularly happy to see Dylan Brown McMonagle and Oisin Orr partner so many winners.

Their multiple successes were backed up on the flat by Darragh Keenan, Paddy Mathers and Luke McAteer and, over jumps, by Brian Hughes, Danny McMenamin and Simon Torrens.

I also noted sadly that Sam Ewing was back on the injured list having broken a leg at Cork on August 7th, the day I flew over to Montreal.

Noel McParlan got on the scoreboard at Downpatrick on Sunday, August 13th, when Invictus World got off the mark at the sixth attempt in the MacNabb Waste Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old Nicaron gelding is trained at Philip McBurney’s Caherty Stables by Gerald Quinn.

HAVING kindly offered to host this year’s Saintfield Horse Show, Ballynahinch owner/breeder Gerry McPolin had to contact organiser Joan Cunningham last Saturday to inform her that due to Storm Betty his fields on the Downpatrick Road were under water.

The fields had resurfaced by midweek and the land had dried out considerably. However, as Gerry was concerned that another downfall could set things back, it was decided to seek out an alternative venue and the show has been moved.

So today, if you want to see who Noel Chance selects as winner of the Downpatrick Racecourse-sponsored racehorse to riding horse class or see if you agree with the decisions of the judges of the many other horse, pony and dog classes, you will have to head to the Knockagh View Equestrian Centre in Greenisland.

Mention of Downpatrick reminds us that the popular track is staging its annual Ladies Day meeting on Monday, August 28th.

The winner of the Helen McBurney Skincare Specialist most appropriately dressed lady competition at the Bank Holiday fixture will receive a luxury skincare hamper plus £2,000 cash while the winner of the best dressed gentleman competition will receive a VIP trip to the Curragh for day two of the Irish Champions Festival which includes chauffeur driven return journey, lunch for four and £250 spending money.

LEADING convenience retailer and wholesaler Musgrave, which is well-known through its multiple brands including SuperValu, Centra and Mace, has secured exclusive naming rights to Down Royal’s meeting on Friday next, September 1st.

Speaking about the fixture, Paddy Murney, Retail Sales Director at Musgrave NI, said: “Having worked together with Down Royal for a number of years, we’re delighted to once again partner the racecourse for what will no doubt be a fantastic evening of top-class racing.

“Not only does this terrific evening of entertainment offer the opportunity to show appreciation to our team on the ground and retail partners, allowing them to take time out of their busy stores, but it also lets us bring together the local community to soak up the atmosphere of a night at the races.”

Partnership

Emma Meehan, CEO, at Down Royal commented: “Partnership is at the heart of everything we do at Down Royal and we are thrilled to be continuing our longstanding relationship with local business group Musgrave NI ... which invests in the local community.

“This support allows us to offer a brilliant evening of racing to the public. The countdown is now on for racing fans and track novices alike to book for what promises to be a wonderful event, the final fixture of our summer calendar.”

The feature race on Friday’s card is the Pepsico (Walkers Snacks) Hurdle for four-year-olds and upwards over three miles. Last year this was won by the Gordon Elliott-trained, Jack Kennedy-ridden Salvador Ziggy.