A lot of money is spent on ‘morkoting’ racing, and publicity campaigns, and promotions, and special offers. But ask any racecourse manager and they’ll tell you the one thing that really helps get people through the turnstiles in Ireland is the one thing you can’t buy – good weather. (more…)

Sometimes it’s good to look around and recognise that while things can appear bad here, far-away fields aren’t always greener, especially when it comes to the drug issue. American racing for instance is on the verge of a long-awaited Triple Crown winner in I’ll Have Another and to European eyes at least, the story will be as much about the trainer, Doug O’Neill, as it is about his horse. (more…)

If you’re going to be a hostage to fortune then it’s best to get the manacles on good and tight so here goes – is Frankel the most overrated horse in ages? And will wiping the floor with Excelebration again in this weekend’s Lockinge prove anything different? (more…)

Irish racing’s international image got another high-profile boost at Newmarket, something the industry’s administrators will no doubt use as another example to government of how its financial assistance pays off in headline-making success stories. But not everyone makes headlines, and not everyone it seems is sharing in the glory. (more…)