On the eve of Royal Ascot this year Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s Qatar Racing did something that was quite extraordinary at Goffs’ London sale.

The marketing people aren’t half out in force attempting to whip up support for the Champions’ Weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh next month.

Tramore isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, how could it be, but you have to say it certainly has its place in the scheme of things.

Any horse called John F Kennedy, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was always destined to attract more than normal attention.

In Britain they are becoming increasingly worried about field sizes, believing that a small number of runners in races are a turn-off for punters and bookmakers alike.

The Irish Oaks at the Curragh last Saturday, or at least the delay in getting the race away, was a bit of a farce.

Dermot Weld has been leading trainer at the Galway festival on 27 occasions.

Well, who would have believed it, the German Derby winner rated 2lbs better than the dual winner of the Epsom and Irish Derbies?

This is a big weekend for Ballydoyle and not just with Australia.

Here’s a horse to follow for the rest of the season, Aidan O’Brien’s American import, Verrazano.