NOT having met up with Ann Ferris for some time now, it was great to see her feature on RTÉ news bulletins this week as she reflected on her own historic achievements in the saddle which paved the way for Rachael Blackmore and others.

Ann was champion point-to-point rider in 1976 and, three years later at Leopardstown, recorded a memorable success in what is now the Ladbroke Hurdle on the Arthur Moore-trained Irian. In 1984, she conquered new heights when winning the Irish Grand National on Bentom Boy who was trained by her father, Willie.