Stars of the tracks come out of retirement

Racehorse to riding horse classes at the big shows are bringing stars of the tracks out of retirement — andproving the durability of Irish thoroughbreds.

At Limerick last weekend, it was the opportunity for Where Now to outdo 2006 Aintreee Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde.

They were first and second ahead of three times Cheltenham winner Hordago.

It was April 2002 when Where Now was made favourite for his racecourse debut at Punchestown — in which Numbersixvalverde finished second on his fourth run.

Where Now followed up with wins at Punchestown and Clonmel worth over €21,000, but was in point to point races since 2005 that it excelled, winning 16 times.

Where Now is still going strong in racehorse to riding horse classes, placed second in Dublin before winning last weekend in Limerick — a tribute to owner John Queally, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, and rider Lois Chappell.

Big crowds enjoyed a great two-day Limerick Show, where the top horse and cattle exhibitors at Limerick included the following.

CATTLE

Holstein Friesian champion: Donal Neville, Rathkeale, Co Limerick. Reserve: Donal and Tadhg Bourke, Adare, Co Limerick.

Irish Champion Holstein Friesian heifer: 1. Margaret Laffan, Adare, Co Limerick.

All-Ireland Pedigree Holstein Friesian heifer calf: Donal and Tadhg Bourke. Reserve: Donal Neville.

IHFA young members association showmanship league: Brian Smith, Doneraile, Co Cork, and Catriona Neville, Rathkeale, Co Limerick.

Jersey champion: JM & N Collins, Newcastle West, Co Limerick.

Pedigree dairy young stocksperson: Kevin Smith, Doneraile, Co Cork.

Shorthorn dairy champion and reserve: Glenn Carter, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.

Shorthorn dairy under-14 young handler: Adrian Flatley, Kilkelly, Co Mayo.

Irish Shorthorn Society under 18 young handler: Karen Fox, Oranmore, Co Galway.

Shorthorn beef champion: Noel Dowd, Creggs, Co Galway. Reserve: Michael Flatley, Kilkelly, Co Mayo.

All-Ireland Shorthorn heifer: Noel Dowd. 2. Anthony Dockery, Elphin, Co Roscommon.

Beef Young Stocksperson: Orla Curtin, Clarina, Co Limerick.

Angus champion: Albert De Cogan, Castlemartyr, Co Cork. Reserve: Denis Twomey, Causeway, Co Kerry.

Angus female champion: Denis Twomey. Reserve: Albert De Cogan.

Angus male champion: Albert De Cogan. Reserve: Anthony Dockery, Elphin, Co Roscommon.

Hereford champion: John Neenan, Charleville, Co Cork. Reserve: Declan Donnelly, Ennis, Co Clare.

Irish junior Hereford heifer: John Neenan.

Hereford female champion: John Neenan. Reserve: Matthew Goulding, Tralee, Co Kerry.

Hereford male champion and reserve: Declan Donnelly.

Irish junior Hereford bull: Declan Donnelly.

Simmental champion and reserve: Peter & Marion O’Connell, Mallow, Co Cork.

Simmental female champion and reserve: Peter & Marion O’Connell.

Simmental male champion: Peter & Marion O’Connell. Reserve: Seamus Aherne, Cappamore, Co Limerick.

Charolais champion and reserve: Martin Ryan, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

Charolais male champion: Michael Quinn, Newmarket-On-Fergus, Co Clare. Reserve: Bobby O’Connell, Clarina, Co Limerick.

Charolais female champion and reserve: Martin Ryan.

Limousin champion: John & William Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath. Reserve: Donal Moloney, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare.

Irish Limousin YMA calf handling: Orla Curtin, Clarina, Co Limerick.

Belgian Blue Champion: Tommy & Pauline Fitzgerald, Clonaslee, Co Laois. Reserve: Derrick Forde, Corrandulla, Co Galway.

Irish Belgian Blue breeding heifer champion: John Redmond, Bagnelstown, Co Carlow.

National Prime Beef Stock commercial champion: William R. Gubbins, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick.

All-Ireland Baby Beef Championship: Pearse McNamee, Lifford, Co Donegal.

All-Ireland Non-Pedigree Calf Championship: David Wharton, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.

Suckler Cow & Calf Championship: Maxwell Brothers, Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

Pair of Animals: Maxwell Brothers.

HORSES

Traditional Irish Horse Association Limerick Matron Championship: Marie Byrne, Ballinure, Thurles. 2. Nick Murphy, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. 3. Derry Rothwell, Tinahely, Co Wicklow.

Traditional Irish Horse Association Limerick Lady Championship: 1. Tom Mooney. 2. Sean Colhoun, Strabane, Co Tyrone. 3 Ivor & Joyce Kearney, Tinahely.

Champion Hunter: Tim and Suzanne O’Brien, Adare, Co Limerick.

Heavyweight Hunter: Mary Davoreen O’Regan, Athlacca, Co Limerick.

Middleweight Hunter: 1. Malachy Ryan, Clonpet, Co Tipperary.

Lightweight Hunter: Tim and Suzanne O’Brien.

Champion Hunter Horse: Gillian McCarthy, Clarina Riding Centre.

Racehorse to Riding Horse: Lois Chappell, Dungarvan, Co Waterford (Where Now). 2. Bernard Carroll, Dunmurray, Co Kildare (Numbersixvalverde). 3. Tony Purcell (Hordago).

Champion Working Hunter Pony: Carlyn Hyde, Ballinahinch, Cashel.

Champion Hunter Pony: Eimear Cunneen.

Gelston Cup: Marian Kiely, Emly, Co Tipperary.

Mini Champion: Martha McNamara.

Champion Show Pony: Geraldine Dempsey, Athenry, Co Galway.

Daresbury Cup: Des O’Sullivan.

Champion Filly: Cyril Stephens.

Champion Young Horse: Cyril Stephens.

Champion Foal: PJ Glynn, Athlone, Co Roscommon.

Champion Brood Mare: PJ Glynn.

Filly Foal: Derry Rothwell.

Best overall foal (and best colt foal): PJ Glynn.

2-Year-Old Filly Championship: Liam Cotter, Tuam.