Davy Russell and Tiger Roll among stars making an appearance at Treo Eile Christmas show

The biggest names in the game, both human and equine, are set to compete at this year's Treo Eile Christmas show on Thursday under the bright lights of the Emerald Equestrian Centre near Enfield on the Kildare/Meath border. 

Current champion jockeys Oisin Murphy and Colin Keane, former champion jump jockeys Davy Russell and Paul Townend and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider Robbie Power will all lock horns.

Dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll will be part of the Moyglare Stud Parade of Champions during the evening, alongside Gold Cup winners Al Boum Photo and A Plus Tard as well as Irish Grand National winner General Principle. 

The first of five events on the show programme starts at noon, featuring the HRI Treo Eile Thoroughbred Classic – a team competition to showcase the very best of Ireland's retrained racehorses. 

The team competition has well-known captains in the shape of Russell, Nina Carberry, Townend and Power.  The event will showcase the very best of Ireland's retrained racehorses, who will compete in teams of four in a timed competition, starting at 6pm. 

A jockey will captain each team, alongside two professional riders who will ride a variety of former racehorses, most of them very well known. The fourth team member will be a talented pony rider. Each rider will jump a track of fences followed by a jump off to decide the winners of the coveted Horse Racing Ireland Perpetual Trophy.

One of the hosts for the evening is popular Racing TV presenter Kevin O'Ryan, who said: "This fundraiser is such a fun evening and includes the very best humans and equines from both the racing and sports-horse industries. 

"It highlights the abilities of the thoroughbred racehorse and how easily they can transition after racing into other disciplines. There are lots more opportunities now for retired racehorses and the Treo Eile program encourages their participation."

Tickets cost €15, with a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) €40. Groups of ten are €100 and can be bought in advance at itsplainsailing.com/org/te.

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