Memories made and ambitions fired: a magical weekend that marks a bright future
What a wonderful weekend for Irish racing. A weekend of special significance because it leaves us secure in the knowledge the future is bright.
No, I'm not suffering from an extreme hyperbolic reaction to the brilliant victory of Little Big Bear in the Phoenix Stakes.
The star Ballydoyle juvenile was stunningly impressive and I won't be surprised if he matures into one of Aidan O'Brien's most brilliant horses, yet the long-term impact of a single Group 1 race is minimal when considered alongside the helter-skelter action which took place between Friday and Sunday around 180 miles to the south-west of the Curragh at Ballintaggart in County Kerry.
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- 'It's chipping away at the profile and the standing of racing in the UK and somebody ought to at least give the impression they care'
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- Four score and ten just a number to Peter Harris as July Cup triumph shows there's more to the elderly than medical conditions
- 'It's chipping away at the profile and the standing of racing in the UK and somebody ought to at least give the impression they care'
- Comment: It is all change at the Jockey Club and its next chief executive will have to hit the ground running
- Unsavoury shunning of Callum Shepherd makes no sense whatsoever, he deserved his shot at Derby glory
- The whole shape of the Irish Flat season is being defined by one man only - and even his main targets lie elsewhere