Saintfield Horse Show Set For 20th August

th August, 2011. Proceeds from the Show will be going to Christian Aid’s Appeal for the Humanitarian Crisis in Somalia and other areas of East Africa. The winner of this class will receive Corporate tickets for the Ladies’ Day Meeting at Downpatrick Racecourse on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29^th, when the winning horse will parade in the Paddock. All others taking part in the class will receive a Rosette and two tickets for the fixture. Richard Lyttle, Downpatrick Race Course Manager, said , “We are once again delighted to be involved with this very popular Race Horse to Riding Horse Class. I’m really looking forward  to the Show. It’s so much fun and just keeps getting better and better. I’m also looking forward to the Donkey Derby, that really will be a huge attraction.” [caption id="attachment_26648" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Father Jack (aka Nat Wilton) joins Saintfield Horse Show Director Joan Cunningham and Richard Lyttle, Manager of Downpatrick Race Course to discuss some Donkey Derby details at the forthcoming Saintfield Horse Show which takes place on Saturday 20th August."][/caption] The judges for this year’s Race Horse to Riding Horse Class are the very popular Crossgar  horse man David McBratney and the Irish Field’s Margie McLoone who is travelling up from Dublin especially for the event. The Donkey Derby will be run over four races. The first race will start at 2.30pm with the first three donkeys qualifying in each of the three races for the final race at approximately 3.15pm. The winner of the Donkey Derby will receive £1000 to go to their chosen charity and Dillon Bass have also very generously sponsored bottles of Powers Whiskey for the winners. Entries for the Derby have been pouring in from some of the province’s top race horse owners and businessmen and are being trained by some of Northern Ireland’s leading trainers. Wilson Dennison has already made an entry, as has Alan Dunlop Senior. After winning the Irish Grand National at Fairy House this year it would really put the icing on the cake for Alan in 2011 to also win the Saintfield Donkey Derby! Father Jack, aka Nat Wilton, has two donkeys running and is already taking on bets that he can win the Derby this year with the young donkey who made its debut in the Saintfield Derby last year. Father Jack said,  “He’s very fit and galloping well at home. He just seems to be taking everything in his stride, I can’t see anything else beating him.” Full running order of donkeys, owners, sponsors and trainers will be published nearer the time. Schedules are now available at saddlers and feed merchants or can be downloaded from the website www.saintfieldhorseshow.webs.com or contact Joan Cunningham on 02897 519030 or mobile 07775860744 or email joancunningham1@gmail.com Admission £2 for adults and children free.]]>