Rodrigo Pessoa must have been inspired when picking the Irish riders for today’s Aga Khan nations cup competition as they claimed the top three places in yesterday’s Stablelab Stakes at the Stena Line Dublin Horse and almost nabbed the fourth spot as well.

Hazapour sprang a shock in the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, overcoming Ballydoyle colts Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon and booking his ticket to the Investec Derby at Epsom

The latest Longines FEI world rankings saw Irish riders on the move following the European Show Jumping Championship success last month.

Next year’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) have taken on a new perspective for Ireland’s show jumpers following their recent European Championships victory in Gothenburg, Sweden, team member Cian O’Connor said yesterday.

Horses are definitely an obsession for me.

Paul Kennedy is in line for his biggest team challenge to date when Ireland take on seven opponents in Friday’s important Division 1 Nations Cup of Italy in Rome.

As tributes pour in for Walter Swinburn following his death at the age of 55, the riding great will always be remembered for his partnership with the mighty Shergar, who completed the Epsom and Curragh Derby double in 1981.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Sir John Lavery, a very promising third on his debut at the Curragh just a week ago, proved the star of yesterday’s Gowran Park action as he romped to an impressive seven lengths win in the one-mile Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden.

On an overcast Kilkenny afternoon about this time last year a seemingly bog standard two-year old maiden race was run at Gowran Park. Of the sixteen starters, most were unexposed types and although they represented many of our high profile training operations it didn’t quite feel like one of those golden maidens that hid unrevealed secrets for a sparkling future. Looks can sometimes deceive.

Dermot Weld says Harzand "probably looks better than ever" as the dual Derby hero gears up for a return to the track next month.

Bocca Baciata returned to winning form when landing the listed Victor McCalmont Stakes, feature of yesterday’s eight-race card in Gowran Park.

The Dermot Weld-trained Harzand earned quotes ranging from 16/1 to 25/1 for the Investec Derby in Epsom following his workmanlike victory in the Group 3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes in Leopardstown yesterday.

Willie Mullins captured both Grade 2 novice chases, in dramatic style, in Navan yesterday scoring with outsiders Sambremont and Measureofmydreams, as part of an 82.5/1 treble, completed by Blow By Blow in the bumper.

A new company has been established to own and run Curragh racecourse and training grounds, and oversee the €65m redevelopment of the track.

I doubt that Dermot Weld engaged in anything even remotely approaching a Clive Brittain-like jig, but he must have at least allowed himself a wry smile!

Ballybrit has always been a special place for Dermot Weld and the master of Rosewell House struck with a spectacular 636/1 four-timer at the Galway track last evening

The Mick Halford-trained Rayisa caught the eye in defeat in what looked a pretty hot maiden at the Curragh recently, and can be expected to improve enough to land the third race on this evening’s card at Galway.

Muhaarar created history at Deauville by emulating the brilliant Dayjur and making the Prix Maurice de Gheest a third Group One sprint victory.

Even Dermot Weld, at least privately, must have found it highly amusing.

Pat Smullen was at his imperious best as he landed last night’s feature races at Cork, the listed Platinum Stakes and Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes, aboard the Dermot Weld-trained duo, Eshera and Zannda, to complete a treble which he kicked off aboard the exciting Only Mine.

Aidan O’Brien has been “very happy” with Found ahead of today’s Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Harasava should give Pat Smullen the perfect send-off ahead of Royal Ascot by landing tonight’s Irish Stallion Farms Median Auction Maiden in Sligo.

Sir Isaac Newton, once considered an Investec Derby prospect, should justify odds-on favouritism in tonight’s Gowran Park opener, the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms Maiden.

Roi Des Francs gave Willie Mullins a third successive win (and a fourth in five years) in the Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes Benz Novice Hurdle in Clonmel yesterday, the centrepiece of another treble for the champion trainer.

Trainer Johnny Levins divulged that the Ayr Gold Cup next September is the long-term target for Your Pal Tal following the progressive five-year-old’s victory in last night’s opener in Dundalk.

Gold Cup hero Leading Light made the perfect return to action in the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger Trial Stakes on another fine afternoon for Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh yesterday.

It might not have been Ladies Day at the Dublin Horse Show yesterday but sisters were still doing it for themselves.

Cian O’Connor is countenancing no suggestion but victory in today’s Furusiyya Series Nations Cup at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

Kingman has been given the go-ahead to meet top four-year-old Toronado in tomorrow’s Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen shared a treble in rain-sodden Leopardstown as Tarafiyla, Hellenistic and Starlet recorded emphatic victories on a night when Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning doubled-up with News At Six and Teocht.

Acknowledging just how cruel the medical card reviews had become, the Taoiseach described to the Dáil how people with motor neurone disease were "asked by the computer" to respond even though they "were unable to speak and move and therefore could not respond."

Corine Barande-Barbe is hopeful Cirrus Des Aigles has not suffered any lasting damage after pulling up lame following his tremendous victory in Saturday’s Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom.

French star-in-waiting Prince Gibraltar stands in front of The Grey Gatsby as Kevin Ryan’s colt pitches for Classic glory in tomorrow’s Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

Aidan O’Brien is wary about the prospect of soft ground at Epsom next Saturday for Investec Derby favourite Australia.

Aidan O’Brien has entered his unbeaten juvenile pair The Great War and War Envoy in Monday’s Alfred Nobel Rochestown Stakes at Naas.

John Oxx accepts Investec Derby favourite Australia is “tailor-made” to handle the demands of Epsom on June 7.

The Michael Halford-trained Zarib emerged as the best prospect on show in Dundalk last night, the Declan McDonogh-ridden colt proving an emphatic winner of the Irish Stallion Farms Median Auction 2-Y-0 Maiden over a mile.