The dark horse: Former jockey and European hopeful Nina Carberry sells herself at cattle mart

The first-time candidate set out to woo farmers at Tullamore mart in Co Offaly

Nina Carberry at Tullamore Mart in Co Offaly. Pictures: Denis Byrne

“You’re the dark horse”, a farmer tells Nina Carberry as she strides around a Tullamore mart.

It’s midday on a Thursday on the outskirts of the Offaly town, with many of the farmers gathered at the mart more interested in the cattle being bought and sold than Fine Gael's European election hopeful in the Midlands North-West constituency.