It rankles that there's no Irish-born rider in the global jockeys' league - but history makes it fairly predictable

With Leopardstown and the Curragh reportedly in the mix as possible host courses, there is likely to be an Irish angle if the proposed global jockeys' league comes to fruition next year.

However, even if an Irish slot is confirmed, the marketing people will have to make their pitch to potential audiences without the benefit of playing a local card, since no Irish-based jockey features on the list of 12 names announced for the venture. 

There was no place either for Oisin Murphy, a credible candidate on account of his status as a four-time British champion, or Tadhg O'Shea, whose record of 12 titles in the United Arab Emirates gives him a claim to be considered the highest-achieving Irish-born rider on the current international scene.