ONE would normally see the O’Haire family travel en masse to Eventing Ireland one-days – even if only father James is competing – but last Saturday, sons Jack (16), Daragh (14) and Tadgh (11) bypassed the pleasure of being grooms for the day to attend to their own pursuits.

As James and groom Emma Egan were up and about at 3am preparing four horses for their journey from Hawthorn Farm down to Crecora, the rest of the family were getting their beauty sleep ahead of their busy, but not so lengthy, day. Only Tadgh had a riding engagement being brought over to Punchestown by his mother Ciara for C Test training with the Kildare Pony Club.

Jack and Daragh headed north to Belfast where their Clane Rugby Club team beat Cooke RFC 44-12 and this past week, Daragh has been heading over to Athy for Leinster Midlands Rugby trials while Jack has been riding out for Ted Walsh, trainer of last Saturday’s Randox Grand National runner-up, Any Second Now, the 15/2 favourite.

As for Tadgh? He had to stay at home where, when we were in contact with the yard, he was perfecting his skills of holding horses being washed down or, rather “sharing quality time with his father,” according to James.