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Breaking Up An Ideal

May 6, 2013 by Brian O'Connor

Anyone think the world’s ideal? In particular, the racing world? Didn’t think so. In an ideal world, for instance, there would be no need for a debate about whether or not the Turf Club should be subsumed into HRI. Ideally it wouldn’t. But it’s only a matter of time before it is, and the result will be…probably nothing much different. (more…)

Let’s Not Drink To That

April 29, 2013 by Brian O'Connor

When it comes to politics there’s nothing Irish racing likes better than an each-way bet. Just remember the political two-step involved in switching from its traditional home in the Dept of Agriculture when it financially suited to be viewed as a sport, and then back again when being categorised as an industry paid off more. (more…)

Where There’s A Will

March 25, 2013 by Brian O'Connor

Political-Will is a buzz-phrase that can sum up a lot. Mostly it sums up the belief that things happen or don’t happen in direct proportion to the whims of those in authority. And there is no greater whim in Irish racing than prizemoney. (more…)

Flexible Friend

February 11, 2013 by Brian O'Connor

There was a time when rearranging racing fixtures around the calendars of other sports felt defeatist but a noticeable reversal of the attendance trend at the Hennessy meeting means it’s hard to argue with the logic anymore. (more…)

Touch Screen

January 28, 2013 by Brian O'Connor

Official policy might be to plan and budget for increased attendances at Ireland’s racecourses but the on-the-ground trend appears to be remorselessly pointing towards a future where most fixtures will be viewed as little more than television fodder. (more…)

A Christmas Cracker

December 24, 2012 by Brian O'Connor

The success of the Galway festival in attracting massive crowds is really the definitive proof of how quality on the track doesn’t reflect in numbers in the stands. But it will still be interesting to see the crowd patterns during the course of Leopardstown this week. (more…)

“Good-Good-Good-Good Vibrations”

December 17, 2012 by Brian O'Connor

Simon Coveney’s declaration that money raised by the proposed new betting regime was never ring-fenced for racing has been greeted by sage nodding and expressions of earnest realism that such a move was never on the table. Instead the great and the good at last week’s HRI awards were assured of the Minister for Agriculture’s good vibrations for racing. Basically, trust him when he says he loves the game and will fight for it at cabinet. (more…)

The Man From Left-Field

December 10, 2012 by Brian O'Connor

Weekend reports that Joe Keeling is expected to be confirmed as Denis Brosnan’s successor as HRI chairman may not quite have been greeted with cries of ‘Joe Who’ but it does seem to be a choice from left-field, so much so that more than one insider queried this space as to whether an eye has been taken off the ball down Tipperary way. (more…)

The Great Shame

November 26, 2012 by Brian O'Connor

It was Liz Taylor who said the best deodorant of all is money, a line that explains best the rising whiff of irrelevance around the Turf Club’s policing role, something that right now is perhaps Irish racing’s greatest shame. (more…)

Brand New Dawn

October 15, 2012 by Brian O'Connor

Dawn Approach winning the Dewhurst was clearly a big deal but anyone clutching ante-post Guineas dockets on the unbeaten two year old champion probably celebrated more when confirmation came afterwards that the Godolphin owned colt is remaining with Jim Bolger. (more…)

A Desperate Flare

September 24, 2012 by Brian O'Connor

The old gag about women demanding equality with men being short of ambition came to mind during Listowel’s Ladies Day when the fairer sex proved yet again that what they say really does go. (more…)

A No ‘Schmo’ Area

August 6, 2012 by Brian O'Connor

This space never needs an excuse to lower the tone but reading the Indecon report is rather like a Wonderbra: you leave the club with Jordan and when you get home Kate Moss pops out. The anticipation was definitely more exciting than the reality. (more…)

Deep-Throat Lights A Match

June 18, 2012 by Brian O'Connor

Simon Coveney must love this bloodstock lark. The Cork based Minister for Agriculture knew little about it before entering cabinet but has quickly learned it is the file that keeps giving, especially in terms of unfortunate headlines.

Michael O’Hagan’s resignation last week from Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and the new post of Director of Communications was as quick as it was unexpected. (more…)

How Not To Win Friends

August 22, 2011 by Brian O'Connor

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…)

When Saying Nothing Is Best

July 20, 2009 by Brian O'Connor

Oh to be a fly on the wall at the next HRI board meeting after An Bord Snip’s E16.6 million bombshell: And oh thank the lord for not having Brian Kavanagh’s job in trying to formulate a response to the snip junta’s recommendations. (more…)

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