Welcoming a new superstar jockey as we bid farewell to one of the greatest ever

How fitting that Colin Keane's cameo on Tarnawa should be the final impression left on us. In providing Dermot Weld with his first Breeders' Cup triumph in the Turf, he sugarcoated a stunning season which saw him claim his second championship after a thrilling tussle with Shane Foley, two Classics and a fabulous four-timer on Irish Champions Weekend.

The Irish Flat season began on the day it was supposed to – March 23 at Naas – but the Covid-19 pandemic meant the second Flat fixture did not arrive until June 8. Later that week the fireworks began.

Siskin was the rocket-launcher. Neither Ger Lyons nor Keane had won a Classic before, but that all changed in the Irish 2,000 Guineas as the unbeaten colt justified favouritism in arguably the most enthralling contest of the whole campaign. It was heart-in-the-mouth stuff.