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…)

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…)

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…)

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…)

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…)

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 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…)

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…)

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…)

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…)

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…)