In this business there is always flak for being negative, usually followed by a plaintive demand to start being more constructive. So on the back of another Group 1 Curragh meeting that attracted a relatively paltry four thousand-strong crowd, here folks is this corner’s attempt at being “paaasitive.” (more…)

Watching HRI’s ducking and diving in relation to chief executive Brian Kavanagh’s bonus payments has been a grim horror show in which racing’s ruling body has shot itself in the foot to such an extent its credibility could be left limping for quite some time to come. (more…)

It’s hard not to conclude that if four horses were killed at a race meeting in Britain it would kick off a furore. And no doubt there are plenty racing professionals in Ireland who believe the lack of controversy surrounding what happened at Tramore yesterday is a good thing, an example of keeping things in perspective, a welcome contrast to some of the more emotive stuff that can happen across-channel. But is that good enough? (more…)

Sometimes the evidence of one’s eyes merges with cold hard form and the only conclusion to come to is that a potentially exceptional talent is flowering in front of us. Maybe is starting to look like such a talent. (more…)

Frankel is a wonderful talent that looks if anything to be getting even more wonderful. Already some “greatest ever” tags have been flung around his elegant head. In time he may justify them. But to do so now is premature and exposes the dangers of getting carried away in handicap terms. (more…)