Alison Baker (b. 1920)

Track 1: A description of her early years, growing up on the family farm; her family connections. Her father’s inheritance of a stable of horses, which included Bright Cherry, dam of the famous Arkle. Track 2: Memories of her father, who was Master of Hounds with Fingal Harriers, and of her own horse riding days. The relationship between her family and the Dreapers. Tom Dreaper would subsequently train Arkle. The tradition of horse breeding among the local farming community. Track 3: Discussed the breeding and rearing of Arkle and recalled Bright Cherry’s racing triumphs. Track 4: The preparation of Arkle for the salesring, and his future owner, the Duchess of Westminister. Arkle’s trainer Tom Dreaper and his first win at Navan Racecourse. Track 5: Looking through the stud books to recount the lineage of Bright Cherry and the other foals she produced. Track 6: The management of the farm and stud in the 1950s. Track 7: Reminiscences of Arkle’s glory years, his retirement, demise and subsequent burial.