The old adage of ‘less is more’ is usually redundant when it comes to money but Cheltenham’s authorities could still do worse than keep it in mind. (more…)
Celebrity Insanity
March 1, 2010 by Brian O'Connor
When it comes to selling racing to Joe Public it seems the more things change, the more they remain insane. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (66)
Striking A Balance
February 22, 2010 by Brian O'Connor
Put ten racing people in a room to discuss a subject and you’ll get twenty opinions. But surely one thing everyone should be able to agree on is the right to fight your corner. (more…)
Category: Turf Club, Races Comments (78)
A Camus Treble
February 15, 2010 by Brian O'Connor
A wise man once said that nobody can create experience - it must be undergone. Bear that in mind and a murky Champion Hurdle picture might clear up a little. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (106)
Fighting The Tide
February 1, 2010 by Brian O'Connor
Is the modern betting world too different, and too electronic, from what went before to allow racing professionals continue to stand behind the law? (more…)
Category: Races Comments (53)
Posh & Prole Unite!
January 25, 2010 by Brian O'Connor
You know when Horse Racing Ireland and the Labour party start singing from the same hymn-sheet that something is up. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (58)
Departmental Two-Step
January 18, 2010 by Brian O'Connor
The question of whether racing’s natural government home is in the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Sport points to a much more fundamental question that is all too-rarely asked. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (46)
Necking For Change
January 11, 2010 by Brian O'Connor
Racing For Change is finding out that persuading minds that don’t want to be changed is a thankless task. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (50)
The New Heresy
January 4, 2010 by Brian O'Connor
Contrary to what many people may instinctively think, mentioning Kauto Star and Arkle in the same breath is not an improper suggestion. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (34)
The Greatest Ever
December 28, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
Getting worked up about crap is a sure sign of having way too much time on one’s hands but there’s a sports show on RTE during New Years Eve that demands a racing success. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (34)
2009 Highlights
December 21, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
It might deserve zero marks for originality but it is the time of year for Top Ten’s so here’s a personal list of 2009 highlights. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (29)
Not Alright Jack
December 13, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
On the back of Brian Lenihan’s €7.1 million cut to racing’s finances it may be worth remembering that while doubt isn’t pleasant, certainty is absurd. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (41)
The Grey Rump
December 7, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
The key conclusion from Fairyhouse’s free admission experiment is simple. Irish racing’s core rump following is getting smaller, and greyer, all the time. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (74)
Can Racing Be Pink?
November 30, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
It was the American boxing writer Bert Sugar who memorably opined that if horse racing is the sport of kings, then drag racing must be the sport of queens. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (43)
Thierry & The Bookies
November 23, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
In a week where Thierry Henry felt the stomach churning self-righteousness of Irish football fans, maybe it’s no coincidence that Ireland’s off-course bookmakers decided to exhibit their own hopelessly one-eyed view of the world. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (41)
Old Enough If Good Enough
November 16, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
Alex Ferguson’s belief in the ‘old enough if good enough’ theory paid off in such spades for Man Utd that it is natural to wonder how Dunguib might get on in the Champion Hurdle if Philip Fenton let him run. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (28)
Jumping With Weetabix!
November 9, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
To be at Navan’s Fortria Chase card was to be reminded that when it comes to National Hunt racing and its flat counterpart, plenty Irish people don’t believe in practising two vices at once. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (37)
Europe V USA
November 2, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
No doubt some Ryder Cup-like ‘enmity’ will be drummed up on the approach to this week’s Breeders Cup but maybe both sides of the pond should concentrate instead on importing the best of the other. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (22)
Casino Vision
October 26, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
Chances are a glimpse of racing’s future could be unveiled in Tipperary tomorrow and it is an even money bet that the industry here in Ireland may have already missed out. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (29)
Stars Too Big For Cup
October 19, 2009 by Brian O'Connor
The hoary old cliché about no one man being bigger than the event may still hold true but what looks unarguable now is that Sea The Stars was too big for the Breeders Cup. And thank God for it. (more…)
Category: Races Comments (29)


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