It Doesn't Get Better Than The Derby

The Epsom Derby is a concentration of obscene wealth, elitism and hard-eyed calculation. It's as far from grassroots as it is possible for sport to get. It's also the greatest day of the racing year. Despite everything the romance of the whole thing enthrals. The Derby is racing's essence summed up in just over two and a half minutes. Prince or prole, you either get it or you don't: and if you don't get the Derby then your heart really isn't going to be racing this Saturday.

Much of the Derby magic revolves around history. Horses have been galloping over this mad scientist's idea of a racecourse for over two centuries. As Tessio said the breed is defined by the piece of wood at the Epsom finish-line. There's a grandeur to that which always makes the Derby essential viewing.

That doesn't always mean it's great. There have been relatively ordinary winners and even the great winners had to prove that greatness subsequent to Epsom. The Derby is rarely a coronation. It's too early for that. But it remains the ultimate test of a colt's ability and its potential to ascend to such lofty status.

It was after winning the Derby that Mick Kinane famously whispered to John Oxx in the winners enclosure that Sea The Stars was one of the greats. Both men kept that to themselves until it didn't need saying anymore. However Epsom remains crucial in identifying the talent that continues to define an entire sport. It's history on the hoof. And it doesn't get better than this.

At this stage Derby No. 239 looks to revolve around one horse. Saxon Warrior is unbeaten, a Group One winner as a juvenile and a superbly convincing 2,000 Guineas winner. We have been here too many times to prematurely elevate him to a status he hasn't yet earned. But he has shaped like he might have the potential to be truly exceptional.

Epsom won't confirm him as the real deal. After all Camelot went and did it in the Derby too and no one can claim him to have been the real deal. Any number of opinions, prejudices and form lines go into establishing that. But as of now, on the countdown to the 2018 Derby Saxon Warrior might really be that little bit different. And, as always, the finding out is a prospect to relish.

In terms of storylines though Epsom will do well to get within a donkey's screech of what both Curragh Guineas provided at the weekend.

Jessica Harrington's ascent to classic winning status with Alpha Centauri in the 1,000 testifies once again to what a remarkable individual she is. Referring to her age or employing the loaded 'V' word - veteran - can feel like dirty pool sometimes. But it's difficult not to since at a stage of life when most people have retired Harrington's already lustrous career has thrust onto another level again. And with no signs of stopping.

Despite Alpha Centauri carrying the famous Niarchos colours, Harrington's involvement meant there was a sense of the usual classic narrative being interrupted. But it was a genteel interruption compared to the shock of Romanised barging his way to classic glory in the 2,000.

There was widespread and genuine delight for his connections, much of it centring on trainer Ken Condon, widely regarded as one of the game's good guys, and someone who clearly learned the gift of perspective from his former mentor, John Oxx.

Condon was hugely impressive immediately after the race in explaining the thrill of entering the rare club of classic winning trainers while also pointing out that there are "a lot of guys like me. The country is full of very good horsemen and very good riders and we're all looking to get our hands on a good horse and show what you can do."

In saying that he was simply articulating the reality, although the grace to articulate it just moments after the greatest moment of his career was notable.

There is a temptation in such circumstances to generalise on the back of a single result and indulge in cant about how money doesn't buy success and everyone supposedly being equal both on and under the turf. In fact much of the joy for Condon's success probably centred on Romanised proving an exception to prove the rule.

Except it came just 20 days after Billesdon Brook won the English 1,000 Guineas at 66-1 for owners who are hardly in the superpower league either. And it's interesting to ponder the likelihood of such surprises in similarly prestige events occurring in the National Hunt game right now. It's certainly come to something when ambitions towards egalitarianism look best served on the flat.

It's the reality that Condon's 30 horse yard is the sort of operation most under pressure over the jumps with quite a number of high-profile and highly talented horse-people deciding to chuck it in because they can't make it pay. So if there's a risk of pedalling corn about a single result you still really would want a heart of stone not to delight in Condon's career-defining moment.

Politically the big story of the week was the appointment of Nicky Hartery as Horse Racing Ireland's new chairman.

The CRH chairman had been ante-post favourite for the job for some time which made the two month delay since Joe Keeling's tenure officially wound up all the more perplexing. According to racecourse scuttlebutt Hartery might have been less than thrilled at the prospect of being interviewed. However HRI's chief executive Brian Kavanagh has told this space he was interviewed.

Chairing boards of other semi-states might be regarded as little more than an honorary function but the history of HRI and its predecessors suggests it is very different. For over two decades Denis Brosnan was far from a mere figurehead. Keeling found out it can attract more than its share of headaches. So how Hartery views the role will be far from irrelevant for a lot of people.

It will be important how he engages with the board. At the height of the controversy over Kavanagh's reappointment as CEO the board often appeared as disengaged from the mechanisms of administrating this billion Euro industry as the rest of us. Whether or not that changes will be one barometer of the new man.

Some things are unlikely to change in a hurry however, such as racing's reflex towards keeping problems in-house. In that regard it was refreshing to see Naas come out with a bulletin in the aftermath of last week's problems when two races were abandoned. There was some 'proactive' jargon in the bulletin but it at least reflected a welcome recognition of the need to keep the racing public informed.

It made for a contrast with the Curragh deciding not to reveal crowd figures over Guineas weekend. This isn't asking the earth. It's basic information, especially at a racecourse substantially owned by HRI. No doubt there's reluctance to focus on figures after some of last year's coverage. But in the Sunday sunshine the new Curragh looked a notably attractive venue - and well attended too.

Finally there was no doubt Pat Smullen was the most welcome attendee, especially looking as well as he did. The champion jockey has an unenviable fight on his hands. But the sense that this illness has picked on the wrong guy for such a fight only grew stronger on Sunday.