President of Ireland visits Park House Stables

He visited the centre, where some of the Queen’s race horses are kept, with his wife, Sabina, and the Tánaiste - or deputy Prime Minister - Eamon Gilmore and his wife Carol Hanney, on the third day of his historic state visit to England.
A private lunch was enjoyed by the group with royal trainer Andrew Balding, who took over the running of the stables from his father Ian Balding, and other family and staff.
Also among them was Park House Stables apprentice and rising star jockey Oisin Murphy.
A tour around the facilities followed, including the colour room where the jockey’s silks are stored, the equine pool, the Flying Fox yard where the Queen’s horses Enliven and Micras are kept and a trip to the gallops to watch horses in the field.
During the visit, Mr Higgins presented the Balding family with a framed set of silks in St Patrick’s blue and gold.
They will be displayed in the colour room where the Queen’s own silks are stored.
Following the trip, Ian Balding said: “It was a great honour...my staff all rose to the occasion.
“I think he thoroughly enjoyed it.”
For the full report and photographs pick up a copy of next Thursday’s Newbury Weekly News.