Michael O'Leary: ruthless in business and unlikely to leave racing world quietly

Trainers who have fallen out of favour and jockeys whose contracts were terminated early might beg to differ, but there is a general consensus that Michael O'Leary has exercised a benevolent influence on Irish jump racing over the past two decades.

O'Leary is irreverent and mischievous by nature, a master of the quotable remark and the colourful turn of phrase. In his role as Ryanair supremo, he has seldom compromised on an unconventional approach to public relations and has revelled in his reputation as a love/hate figure among the chattering classes.

It is tempting to view his involvement in racing through the prism of a ruthless business persona. Yet by the standards of his Ryanair stewardship, fuelled by a high-octane mix of aggression, confrontation and unrestrained invective, O'Leary has been positively benign in his embrace of the sport.