There was a strong farming and agriculture presence at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show at the RDS. Talk of the grounds on Friday was the winning performance by Ireland’s Aga Khan team, featuring 19-year-old Bertram Allen, son of Slaney Meats supremo Bert. Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney was there bright and early but had to hurry off on pressing matters – to the retirement party of AP McCoy hosted by JP McManus in Adare Manor.

Owen Brennan

Most visible of the agri- business personnel was Devenish Nutrition boss Owen Brennan. His firm sponsored the Puissance competition in the recent Jumping in the City series. But at home, the Brennans are getting big in the breeding game and they have some of the genetics of wonder-horse MHS Going Global, who starred in the Aga Khan trophy victory.

Pearse Lyons

Fellow nutrition expert and business magnate Dr Pearse Lyons wasn’t seen there on the day but texted congratulations to Irish team members after their Aga Khan victory.

Michael Cullen

Happiest of all had to be Monaghan man Michael Cullen, boss of Investec – the sponsor of Team Ireland. At a hooley the night before in the Intercontinental, his colleague Nigel Poynton listed some of Investec’s star-studded sponsorship partners: the Epsom Darby, the Cricket World Cup, the Irish show jumping team, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and – most important of all – the Monaghan football team. In his younger days Michael played minor with Monaghan Harps. Alas, his winning run ended in Croke Park last Saturday at the hands of Tyrone.